THE  YALE 
SHAKESPEARE 


HAM-LET 
PRINZE  OF 
DENMARK 


EDITED  BY 

JACK  RANDALL 

CRAWFORD 


1 


UNIVERSITY  QFCAUFORNf 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


THE  YALE  SHAKESPEARE 


Edited  by 
Wilbur  L.  Cross  Tucker  Brooke 

WlLLARD    HlGLEY    DURHAM 


Published  under  the  Direction 

OF   THE 

Department  of  English,  Yale  University, 

on  the  Fund 

Given  to  the  Yale  University  Press  in  1917 

by  the  Members  of  the 

Kingsley  Trust  Association 

(Scroll  and  Key  Society  of  Yale  College) 

To  Commemorate  the  Seventy-Fifth  Anniversary 

of  the  Founding  of  the  Society 


• :  The  Yale  Shakespeare  :  • 

THE  TRAGEDY  OF  HAMLET 
PRINCE  OF  DENMARK 

EDITED   BY 

JACK  RANDALL  CRAWFORD 


NEW  HAVEN  •  YALE  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 

LONDON  •  HUMPHREY  MILFORD 

OXFORD  UNIVERSITY  PRESS 


Copyright,  1917 
By  Yale  University  Press 


First  published,  October,  1917 
Second  printing,  June,  1933 


PR   . 
2754 

V.1 

Cop.  2. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 


The  Text 

Notes 

Appendix  A. 

Appendix  B. 

Appendix  C. 

Appendix  D. 
Reading 


Sources 

History  of  the  Play  . 

The  Text 

Suggestions  for  Collateral 


Index  of  Words  Glossed 


page 
1 
155 
177 
181 
183 

186 
187 


305073 


TJie  facsimile  opposite  represents  the  title-page  of 
the  Elizabethan  Club  copy  of  the  Second  Quarto  (160 4). 
Only  three  copies  of  this  edition  are  known  to  survive. 


THE 

Tragicall  Hiftorie  of 

HAMLET, 

Trince  ofTienmarhg. 
By  William  Shakefpeare. 

Newly  imprinted  and  enlarged  to  almoft  as  much 
againe  as  it  was,  according  to  the  true  and  perfect 
Coppie. 


AT    LONDON, 

Printed  by  I.  R.  for  N.  L.  and  are  to  be  fold  at  his 

fhoppe  vnder  Saint  Dunftons  Church  in 

Fleetftrccf.    1604. 


Courtiers 


[DRAMATIS  PERSONS 

Claudius,  King  of  Denmark 

Hamlet,  Son  to  the  late,  and  Nephew  to  the  present 

King 
Fortinbras,  Prince  of  Norway 
Horatio,  Friend  to  Hamlet 
Polonius,  Lord  Chamberlain 
Laertes,  his  Son 
Voltimand, 
Cornelius, 
rosencrantz, 

GuiLDENSTERN, 
OSRIC, 

A  Gentleman, 

A  Priest 

Marcellus,  ) 

■n  f  Officers 

Bernardo,     )      " 

Francisco,  a  Soldier 

Reynaldo,  Servant  to  Polonius 

A  Captain 

English  Ambassadors 

Players.     Two  Clowns,  Grave-diggers 

Gertrude,  Queen  of  Denmark  and  Mother  to  Hamlet 

Ophelia,  Daughter  to  Polonius 

Lords,  Ladies,  Officers,  Soldiers,  Sailor,  Messenger, 

and  Attendants 

Ghost  of  Hamlet's  Father 

Scene:  Denmark.'] 

Dramatis  Personae;  cf.  n. 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet 
Prince  of  Denmark 

ACT  FIRST 

Scene  One 

[Elsinore.     A  Platform  of  the  Castle] 

Enter  Bernardo  and  Francisco,  two  Sentinels. 

Ber.  Who's  there? 

Fran.  Nay,  answer  me;  stand,  and  unfold  yourself. 

Ber.  Long  live  the  king! 

Fran.  Bernardo?  4 

Ber.  He. 

Fran.  You  come  most  carefully  upon  your  hour. 
^  Ber.  'Tis    now    struck    twelve;  &et   thee    to    bedj 
Francisco. .  f~  -fd*  .  */  fL  £/H 

Fran.  For  this  relief  much  thanks ;  'tis  bitter  cold,  8 
And  I  am  sick  at  heart. 

Ber.  Have  you  had  quiet  guard? 

Fran.  Not  a  mouse  stirring. 

Ber.  Well,  good-night. 
If  you  do  meet  Horatio  and  Marcellus,  12 

The  rivals  of  my  watch,ibid  them  make  hastei 

Enter  Horatio  and  Marcellus. 

Fran.  I  think  I  hear  them.      Stand,  ho!     Who's 

there  ? 
Hor.  Friends  to  this  ground. 

Mar.  And  liegemen  to  the  Dane. 

Fran.  Give  you  good-night. 
Mar.  O  !  farewell,  honest  soldier :     16 

S.  d.  Platform:  level  space  on  castle  ramparts 

3  Long  .  .  .  king!;  c/.n.  13  rivals:  partners 

15  Friends  .  .  .  Dane;  cf.  n.  16  Give  you :  Cod  give  you 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


Who  hath  reliev'd  you? 

Fran.  Bernardo  has  my  place. 

Give  you  good-night.  Exit  Francisco. 

Mar.  Holla !    Bernardo ! 

Ber.  Say, 

What !  is  Horatio  there  ? 

Hor.  A  piece  of  him. 

Ber.  Welcome,     Horatio;     welcome,     good     Mar- 
cellus.  20 

Mar.  What !  has  this  thing  appear'd  again  to-night  ?  • 

Ber.  I  have  seen  nothing.     <  ctcit~f~-' 

Mar.  Horatio  says  'tis  but  our  fantasy, 
And  will  not  let  belief  take  hold  of  him  24 

Touching  this  dreaded  sight  twice  seen  of  us: 
Therefore  I  have  entreated  him  along 
With  us  to  watch  the  minutes  of  this  night; 
That  if  again  this  apparition  come,  28 

He  may  approve  our  eyes  and  speak  to  it. 

Hor.  Tush,  tush !  'twill  not  appear. 

Ber.  Sit  down  awhile, 

And  let  us  once  again  assail  jour  ears, 
That  are  so  fortified  against  our  story,  32 

What  we  two  nights  have  seen. 

Hor.  Well,  sit  we  down, 

And  let  us  hear  Bernardo  speak  of  this. 

Ber.  Last  night  of  all, 
When  yond  same  star  that's  westward  from  the  pole  36 
Had  made  his  course  to  illume  that  part  of  heaven 
Where  now  it  burns,  Marcellus  and  myself, 
The  bell  then  beating  one, —  Enter  the  Ghost. 

-     Mar.  Peace !  break  thee  off ;  look,  where  it  comes 
again !  40 

19  piece;  cf.  n.  23  fantasy:  imagination 

29  approve:  confirm  37  his;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  i 


Ber.  In  the  same  figure,  like  the  king  that's  dead. 

Mar.  Thou  art  a  scholar;  speak  to  it,  Horatio. 

Ber.  Looks  it  not  like  the  king?  mark  it,  Horatio. 

Hor.  Most   like:    it    harrows    me    with    fear    and 
wonder.  44 

Ber.  It  would  be  spoke  to. 

Mar.  Question  it,  Horatio. 

Hor.  What  art  thou  that  usurp'st  this  time  of  night, 
Together  with  that  fair  and  war-like  form 
In  which  the  majesty  of  buried  Denmark  48 

Did   sometimes    march?    by   heaven    I    charge   thee, 
speak ! 

Mar.  It  is  offended. 

Ber.  See!  it  stalks  away. 

Hor.  Stay !  speak,  speak !    I  charge  thee,  speak ! 

Exit  the  Ghost. 

Mar.  'Tis  gone,  and  will  not  answer.  52 

Ber.  How   now,   Horatio!   you   tremble   and   look 
pale: 
Is  not  this  something  more  than  fantasy  ? 
What  think  you  on  't? 

Hor.  Before  my  God,  I  might  not  this  believe        56 
Without  the  sensible  and  true  avouch 
Of  mine  own  eyes. 

Mar.  Is  it  not  like  the  king? 

Hor.  As  thou  art  to  thyself: 
Such  was  the  very  armour  he  had  on  60 

When  he  the  ambitious  Norway  combated; 
So  frown'd  he  once,  when,  in  an  angry  parle, 
He  smote  the  sledded  Polacks  on  the  ice. 
'Tis  strange.  64 

42  scholar;  cf.  n.  43  mark:  observe  closely 

45  It  .  .  .  to;  cf.  n.  49  sometimes :  formerly 

57  sensible:  involving  the  use  of  one  of  the  senses       avouch:  assurance 
62  parle:  parley  63  sledded  Polacks:  Poles  on  sledges  (?)  ;  cf.  n. 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


Mar.  Thus  twice  before,  and  jump  at  this  dead 
hour, 
With  martial  stalk  hath  he  gone  by  our  watch. 

Hor.  In  what  particular  thought  to  work  I  know 
not; 
But  in  the  gross  and  scope  of  my  opinion,  68 

This  bodes  some  strange  eruption!  to  our  state. 

Mar.  Good  now,  sit  down,  and  tell  me,  he  that 
knows, 
Why  this  same  strict  and  most  observant  watch 
So  nightly  toils  the  subject  of  the  land;  72 

And  why  such  daily  cast  of  brazen  cannon, 
And  foreign  mart  for  implements  of  war; 
Why  such  impress  of  shipwrights,  whose  sore  task 
Does  not  divide  the  Sunday  from  the  week;  78 

What  might  be  toward,  that  this  sweaty  haste    "\ 
Doth  make  the  night  joint-labourer  with  the  day: 
Who  is  't  that  can  inform  me? 

Hor.  That  can  I; 

At  least,  the  whisper  goes  so.     Our  last  king,  80 

Whose  image  even  but  now  appear'd  to  us, 
Was,  as  you  know,  by  Fortinbras  of  Norway, 
Thereto  prick'd  on  by  a  most  emulate  pride, 
Dar'd  to  the  combat ;  in  which  our  valiant  Hamlet —  84 
For  so  this  side  of  our  known  world  esteem'd  him — 
Did  slay  this  Fortinbras;  who,  by  a  seal'd  compact, 
Well  ratified  by  law  and  heraldry, 
Did  forfeit  with  his  life  all  those  his  lands  88 

Which  he  stood  seiz'd  of,  to  the  conqueror ; 

65  jump:  just  67  thought:  train  of  thinking 

68  gross  and  scope :  general  drift  70  Good  now ;  cf.  n. 

72  toils:  causes  to  toil         subject:  people,  subjects 

73  cast:  founding  74  mart:  traffic,  buying  and  selling 
75  impress:  enforced  service  77  toward:  in  preparation 
83  prick'd  on :  incited         emulate:  ambitious 

87  law  and  heraldry;  cf.  n.  89  seiz'd  of:  possessed  of 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  i 


Against  the  which,  a  moiety  competent 

Was  gaged  by  our  king;  which  had  return'd 

To  the  inheritance  of  Fortinbras,  92 

Had  he  been  vanquisher;  as,  by  the  same  covenant, 

And  carriage  of  the  article  design'd, 

His  fell  to  Hamlet.     Now,  sir,  young  Fortinbras, 

Of  unimproved  mettle  hot  and  full,  96 

Hath  in  the  skirts  of  Norway  here  and  there 

Shark'd  up  a  list  of  lawless  resolutes, 

For  food  and  diet,  to  some  enterprise 

That  hath  a  stomach  in  't ;  which  is  no  other — 

As  it  doth  well  appear  unto  our  state —  101 

But  to  recover  of  us,  by  strong  hand 

And  terms  compulsative,  those  foresaid  lands 

So  by  his  father  lost.    And  this,  I  take  it,  104 

Is  the  main  motive  of  our  preparations, 

The  source  of  this  our  watch  and  the  chief  head 

Of  this  post-haste  and  romage  in  the  land. 

[Ber.  I  think  it  be  no  other  but  e'en  so ;  108 

Well  may  it  sort  that  this  portentous  figure 
Comes  armed  through  our  watch,  so  like  the  king 
That  was  and  is  the  question  of  these  wars. 

Hor.  A  mote  it  is  to  trouble  the  mind's  eye.        112 
In  the  most  high  and  palmy  state  of  Rome, 
A  little  ere  the  mightiest  Julius  fell, 
The  graves  stood  tenantless  and  the  sheeted  dead 
Did  squeak  and  gibber  in  the  Roman  streets;  lie 

90  moiety  competent:  equal  amount  91  gaged :  staked 

94  carriage:  import         design'd:  drawn  up 

96  unimproved:  unproved  (?)  ;  cf.  n.  hot  and  full:  exceedingly 
ardent 

97  skirts:  outskirts 

98  Shark'd  up:  picked  up  at  haphazard  list;  cf.  n.  resolutes: 
desperadoes 

99  For  .  .  .  diet;  cf.  n.  100  stomach;  cf.  n. 
103  compulsative:  involving  compulsion  106  head:  origin 
107  romage:  commotion,  bustle  109  sort:  fit 

112  mote:  minute  particle  of  dust 

113  palmy  state :  flourishing  sovereignty 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


As  stars  with  trains  of  fire  and  dews  of  blood, 
Disasters  in  the  sun;  and  the  moist  star 
Upon  whose  influence  Neptune's  empire  stands 
Was  sick  almost  to  doomsday  with  eclipse ;  120 

And  even  the  like  precurse  of  fierce  events, 
As  harbingers  preceding  still  the  fates 
And  prologue  to  the  omen  coming  on, 
Have  heaven  and  earth  together  demonstrated 
Unto  our  climatures  and  countrymen.]  125 

Enter  Ghost  again. 
But,  soft!  behold!  lo!  where  it  comes  again. 
I'll  cross  it,  though  it  blast  me.     Stay,  illusion ! 
If  thou  hast  any  sound,  or  use  of  voice,  128 

It  spreads  his  arms. 
Speak  to  me: 

If  there  be  any  good  thing  to  be  done, 
That  may  to  thee  do  ease  and  grace  to  me, 
Speak  to  me:  132 

If  thou  art  privy  to  thy  country's  fate, 
Which  happily  foreknowing  may  avoid, 
O!  speak; 

Or  if  thou  hast  uphoarded  in  thy  life  136 

Extorted  treasure  in  the  womb  of  earth, 
For  which,  they  say,  you  spirits  oft  walk  in  death, 

The  cock  crows. 
Speak  of  it:  stay,  and  speak!    Stop  it,  Marcellus.    139 

Mar.  Shall  I  strike  at  it  with  my  partisan? 

Hor.  Do,  if  it  will  not  stand. 

Ber.  'Tis  here! 

H or.  'Tis  here! 

117  As  .  .  .  blood;  cf.  n. 

118  Disasters:  unfavorable  aspects;  cf.  n.         moist  star:  moon 

120  sick  .  .  .  doomsday;  cf.  n.  121  precurse:  heralding 

122  still :  constantly  123  prologue:  introduction 

125  climatures:  regions  (?)  ;  cf.  n.  127  cross:  meet,  face;  cf.  n. 

131   [do]  grace:  do  honor  to  134  happily:  haply 

136  uphoarded;  cf.  n.  140  partisan;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  i 


Exit  Ghost. 

Mar.  'Tis  gone! 
We  do  it  wrong,  being  so  majestical, 
To  offer  it  the  show  of  violence;  144 

For  it  is,  as  the  air,  invulnerable, 
And  our  vain  blows  malicious  mockery. 

Ber.  It  was  about  to  speak  when  the  cock  crew. 

Hor.  And  then  it  started  like  a  guilty  thing 
Upon  a  fearful  summons.     I  have  heard,  149 

The  cock,  that  is  the  trumpet  to  the  morn, 
Doth  with  his  lofty  and  shrill-sounding  throat 
Awake  the  god  of  day;  and  at  his  warning,  152 

Whether  in  sea  or  fire,  in  earth  or  air, 
The  extravagant  and  erring  spirit  hies 
To  his  confine;  and  of  the  truth  herein 
This  present  object  made  probation.  156 

Mar.  It  faded  on  the  crowing  of  the  cock. 
Some  say  that  ever  'gainst  that  season  comes 
Wherein  our  Saviour's  birth  is  celebrated, 
The  bird  of  dawning  singeth  all  night  long;  160 

And  then,  they  say,  no  spirit  can  walk  abroad; 
The  nights  are  wholesome;  then  no  planets  strike, 
No  fairy  takes,  nor  witch  hath  power  to  charm, 
So  hallow'd  and  so  gracious  is  the  time.  164 

Hor.  So  have  I  heard  and  do  in  part  believe  it. 
But,  look,  the  morn  in  russet  mantle  clad, 
Walks  o'er  the  dew  of  yon  high  eastern  hill; 
Break  we  our  watch  up ;  and  by  my  advice  168 

Let  us  impart  what  we  have  seen  to-night 
Unto  young  Hamlet;  for,  upon  my  life, 
This  spirit,  dumb  to  us,  will  speak  to  him. 

ISO  cock;  cf.  n. 

154  extravagant:  vagrant         erring:  wandering         hies:  hastens 

155  confine:  place  of  confinement  156  probation:  proof 
158  'gainst  that:  by  the  time  thai  162  planets  strike;  cf.  n. 
163  takes:  bewitches                           164  gracious:  instinct  with  goodness 


8  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Do  you  consent  we  shall  acquaint  him  with  it, 
As  needful  in  our  loves,  fitting  our  duty  ?  173 

Mar.  Let's  do  't,  I  pray;  and  I  this  morning  know 
Where  we  shall  find  him  most  conveniently.      Exeunt. 

Scene  Two 

[A  Room  of  State  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Claudius,  King  of  Denmark,  Gertrude  the 
Queen,  Hamlet,  Polonius,  Laertes  and  his  sister, 
Ophelia,  [and]  Lords  attendant. 

King.  Though   yet   of   Hamlet  our   dear   brother's 
death 
The  memory  be  green,  and  that  it  us  befitted 
To  bear  our  hearts  in  grief  and  our  whole  kingdom 
To  be  contracted  in  one  brow  of  woe,  4 

Yet  so  far  hath  discretion  fought  with  nature 
That  we  with  wisest  sorrow  think  on  him, 
Together  with  remembrance  of  ourselves. 
Therefore  our  sometime  sister,  now  our  queen, 
The  imperial  jointress  of  this  war-like  state,  9 

Have  we,  as  'twere  with  a  defeated  joy, 
With  one  auspicious  and  one  dropping  eye, 
With  mirth  in  funeral  and  with  dirge  in  marriage,       12 
In  equal  scale  weighing  delight  and  dole, 
Taken  to  wife:  nor  have  we  herein  barr'd 
Your  better  wisdoms,  which  have  freely  gone 
With  this  affair  along:  for  all,  our  thanks.  16 

Now  follows,  that  you  know,  young  Fortinbras, 
Holding  a  weak  supposal  of  our  worth, 
Or  thinking  by  our  late  dear  brother's  death 

4  brow  of  woe:  aspect  of  woe     9  jointress:  joint  possessor,  or.  dowager 
10  defeated :  disfigured  11   auspicious :  happy  dropping:  tearful 

13  dole:  grief  18  weak  supposal:  low  opinion 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  ii 9 

Our  state  to  be  disjoint  and  out  of  frame,  20 

Colleagued  with  the  dream  of  his  advantage, 

He  hath  not  fail'd  to  pester  us  with  message, 

Importing  the  surrender  of  those  lands 

Lost  by  his  father,  with  all  bands  of  law,  24 

To  our  most  valiant  brother.    So  much  for  him. 

Enter  Voltimand  and  Cornelius. 
Now  for  ourself  and  for  this  time  of  meeting. 
Thus  much  the  business  is :  we  have  here  writ 
To  Norway,  uncle  of  young  Fortinbras,  28 

Who,  impotent  and  bed-rid,  scarcely  hears 
Of  this  his  nephew's  purpose,  to  suppress 
His  further  gait  herein;  in  that  the  levies, 
The  lists  and  full  proportions,  are  all  made  32 

Out  of  his  subject;  and  we  here  dispatch 
You,  good  Cornelius,  and  you,  Voltimand, 
For  bearers  of  this  greeting  to  old  Norway, 
Giving  to  you  no  further  personal  power  3« 

To  business  with  the  king  more  than  the  scope 
Of  these  delated  articles  allow. 
Farewell  and  let  your  haste  commend  your  duty. 
[Cor.]   )    In  that  and  all  things  will  we  show  our 
Vol.       )        duty.  40 

King.  We  doubt  it  nothing:  heartily  farewell. 

Exeunt  Voltimand  and  Cornelius. 
And  now,  Laertes,  what's  the  news  with  you  ? 
You  told  us  of  some  suit;  what  is't,  Laertes? 
You  cannot  speak  of  reason  to  the  Dane,  44 

And  lose  your  voice ;  what  wouldst  thou  beg,  Laertes, 
That  shall  not  be  my  offer,  not  thy  asking? 

20  disjoint:  at  loose  ends         frame:  order 

21  Colleagued:  allied  dream  of  his  advantage:  imaginary  superiority 
23  Importing:  bearing  as  its  purport  24  bands:  agreements 
31  gait:  proceeding  32  proportions:  supplies,  forces 
38  delated:  expressly  stated  44  the  Dane:  the  king  of  Denmark 
45  lose  your  voice :  speak  to  no  purpose 


io  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

The  head  is  not  more  native  to  the  heart, 
The  hand  more  instrumental  to  the  mouth,  48 

Than  is  the  throne  of  Denmark  to  thy  father. 
What  wouldst  thou  have,  Laertes? 

Laer.  Dread  my  lord, 

Your  leave  and  favour  to  return  to  France; 
From  whence  though  willingly  I  came  to  Denmark,  52 
To  show  my  duty  in  your  coronation, 
Yet  now,  I  must  confess,  that  duty  done, 
My  thoughts  and  wishes  bend  again  toward  France 
And  bow  them  to  your  gracious  leave  and  pardon.      56 

King.  Have  you  your  father's  leave?     What  says 
Polonius  ? 

Pol.  He  hath,  my  lord,  [wrung  from  me  my  slow 
leave 
By  laboursome  petition,  and  at  last 
Upon  his  will  I  seal'd  my  hard  consent:]  60 

I  do  beseech  you,  give  him  leave  to  go. 

King.  Take  thy  fair  hour,  Laertes;  time  be  thine, 
And  thy  best  graces  spend  it  at  thy  will. 
But  now,  my  cousin  Hamlet,  and  my  son, —  64 

Ham.  [Aside.]   A   little   more   than  kin,   and   less 
than  kind. 

King.  How  is  it  that  the  clouds  still  hang  on  you? 

Ham.  Not  so,  my  lord ;  I  am  too  much  i'  the  sun. 

Queen.  Good    Hamlet,    cast    thy    nighted    colour 
off,  68 

And  let  thine  eye  look  like  a  friend  on  Denmark. 
Do  not  for  ever  with  thy  vailed  lids 
Seek  for  thy  noble  father  in  the  dust: 

47  native:  closely  and  congenitally  connected 

48  instrumental :  serviceable  50  Dread  my  lord :  my  dread  lord 
51  leave  and  favour:  kind  permission 

56  leave  and  pardon:  indulgence  [to  depart] 

60  hard :  given  with  difficulty  63  graces:  virtues 

65  kin  .  .  .  kind;  cf.  n.        67  i*  the  sun;  cf.  n.        70  vailed:  down-cast 


Prince  of  Denmark , 1,  ii  1 1 

Thou  know'st  'tis  common ;  all  that  lives  must  die,  72 
Passing  through  nature  to  eternity. 

Ham.  Ay,  madam,  it  is  common. 

Queen.  If  it  be, 

Why  seems  it  so  particular  with  thee? 

Ham.  Seems,    madam!    Nay,    it   is;    I    know    not 
'seems.'  76 

'Tis  not  alone  my  inky  cloak,  good  mother, 
Nor  customary  suits  of  solemn  black, 
Nor  windy  suspiration  of  forc'd  breath, 
No,  nor  the  fruitful  river  in  the  eye,  80 

Nor  the  dejected  haviour  of  the  visage, 
Together  with  all  forms,  moods,  shows  of  grief, 
That  can  denote  me  truly;  these  indeed  seem, 
For  they  are  actions  that  a  man  might  play:  84 

But  I  have  that  within  which  passeth  show; 
These  but  the  trappings  and  the  suits  of  woe. 

King.  'Tis  sweet  and  commendable  in  your  nature, 
Hamlet, 
To  give  these  mourning  duties  to  your  father:  88 

But,  you  must  know,  your  father  lost  a  father; 
That  father  lost,  lost  his;  and  the  survivor  bound 
In  filial  obligation  for  some  term 
To  do  obsequious  sorrow;  but  to  persever  92 

In  obstinate  condolement  is  a  course 
Of  impious  stubbornness;  'tis  unmanly  grief: 
It  shows  a  will  most  incorrect  to  heaven, 
A  heart  unfortified,  a  mind  impatient,  98 

An  understanding  simple  and  unschool'd: 
For  what  we  know  must  be  and  is  as  common 
As  any  the  most  vulgar  thing  to  sense, 

72  common:  the  common  lot  75  particular :  personal 

79  windy  suspiration :  tempestuous  sighing         forc'd :  against  one's  will 

80  fruitful:  copious  81  haviour:  behavior  83  denote:  portray 
92  obsequious:  dutiful  93  condolement:  sorrowing 
99  vulgar  thing:  common  experience 


1 2  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Why  should  we  in  our  peevish  opposition  100 

Take  it  to  heart  ?    Fie !  'tis  a  fault  to  heaven, 

A  fault  against  the  dead,  a  fault  to  nature, 

To  reason  most  absurd,  whose  common  theme 

Is  death  of  fathers,  and  who  still  hath  cried,  104 

From  the  first  corse  till  he  that  died  to-day, 

'This  must  be  so.'    We  pray  you,  throw  to  earth 

This  unprevailing  woe,  and  think  of  us 

As  of  a  father ;  for  let  the  world  take  note,  108 

You  are  the  most  immediate  to  our  throne; 

And  with  no  less  nobility  of  love 

Than  that  which  dearest  father  bears  his  son 

Do  I  impart  toward  you.     For  your  intent  112 

In  going  back  to  school  in  Wittenberg, 

It  is  most  retrograde  to  our  desire ; 

And  we  beseech  you,  bend  you  to  remain 

Here,  in  the  cheer  and  comfort  of  our  eye,  116 

Our  chiefest  courtier,  cousin,  and  our  son. 

Queen.  Let    not    thy    mother    lose    her    prayers, 
Hamlet : 
I  pray  thee,  stay  with  us ;  go  not  to  Wittenberg. 

Ham.  I  shall  in  all  my  best  obey  you,  madam. 

King.  Why,  'tis  a  loving  and  a  fair  reply: 
Be  as  ourself  in  Denmark.     Madam,  come; 
This  gentle  and  unforc'd  accord  of  Hamlet 
Sits  smiling  to  my  heart ;  in  grace  whereof,  124 

No  j  ocund  health  that  Denmark  drinks  to-day, 
But  the  great  cannon  to  the  clouds  shall  tell, 
And  the  king's  rouse  the  heavens  shall  bruit  again, 
Re-speaking  earthly  thunder.     Come  away.  128 

Exeunt  [all  except  Hamlet.] 

105  corse:  corpse  107  unprevailing:  unavailing 

109  immediate:  next  in  succession  112  impart:  bestow 

113  Wittenberg;  cf.  n.       114  retrograde:  contrary       115  bend:  incline 
127  rouse:  bumper         bruit:  echo 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I,  ii  18 

Ham.  O !  that  this  too  too  solid  flesh  would  melt, 
Thaw  and  resolve  itself  into  a  dew; 
Or  that  the  Everlasting  had  not  fix'd 
His  canon  'gainst  self-slaughter !    O  God !  O  God !  132 
How  weary,  stale,  flat,  and  unprofitable 
Seem  to  me  all  the  uses  of  this  world. 
Fie  on  't !    O  fie !  'tis  an  unweeded  garden, 
That    grows    to    seed;    things    rank    and    gross    in 

nature  136 

Possess  it  merely.     That  it  should  come  to  this ! 
But  two  months  dead:  nay,  not  so  much,  not  two: 
So  excellent  a  king;  that  was,  to  this, 
Hyperion  to  a  satyr ;  so  loving  to  my  mother  140 

That  he  might  not  beteem  the  winds  of  heaven 
Visit  her  face  too  roughly.     Heaven  and  earth ! 
Must  I  remember?  why,  she  would  hang  on  him, 
As  if  increase  of  appetite  had  grown  144 

By  what  it  fed  on ;  and  yet,  within  a  month, 
Let  me  not  think  on  't :    Frailty,  thy  name  is  woman ! 
A  little  month;  or  ere  those  shoes  were  old 
With  which  she  follow'd  my  poor  father's  body, 
Like  Niobe,  all  tears;  why  she,  even  she, —  149 

O  God !  a  beast,  that  wants  discourse  of  reason, 
Would    have    mourn'd    longer, — married    with    mine 

uncle, 
My  father's  brother,  but  no  more  like  my  father 
Than  I  to  Hercules:  within  a  month,  153 

Ere  yet  the  salt  of  most  unrighteous  tears 
Had  left  the  flushing  in  her  galled  eyes, 
She  married.     O !  most  wicked  speed,  to  post 
With  such  dexterity  to  incestuous  sheets.  157 

130  resolve:  dissolve  132  canon:  law                 134  uses:  usages 

137  merely:  entirely  140  Hyperion;  cf.  n.           141  beteem:  allow 

149  Niobe;  cf.  n.  150  discourse  of  reason :  reasoning  power 

155  flushing:  rednes*  galled:  sore  with  zveeping 

156  post:  hasten  157  dexterity :  facility 


14  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

It  is  not  nor  it  cannot  come  to  good; 

But  break,  my  heart,  for  I  must  hold  my  tongue ! 

Enter  Horatio,  Bernardo,  and  Marcellus. 

Hor.  Hail  to  your  lordship ! 

Ham.  I  am  glad  to  see  you  well.     160 

Horatio,  or  I  do  forget  myself. 

Hor.  The  same,  my  lord,  and  your  poor  servant 
ever. 

Ham.  Sir,  my  good  friend;  I'll  change  that  name 
with  you. 
And  what  make  you  from  Wittenberg,  Horatio? 
Marcellus  ?  165 

Mar.  My  good  lord, — 

Ham.  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you.     [To  Bernardo.~\ 
Good  even,  sir. 
But  what,  in  faith,  make  you  from  Wittenberg? 

Hor.  A  truant  disposition,  good  my  lord.  169 

Ham.  I  would  not  hear  your  enemy  say  so, 
Nor  shall  you  do  mine  ear  that  violence, 
To  make  it  truster  of  your  own  report  172 

Against  yourself;  I  know  you  are  no  truant. 
But  what  is  your  affair  in  Elsinore  ? 
We'll  teach  you  to  drink  deep  ere  you  depart. 

Hor.  My    lord,    I     came    to    see    your    father's 
funeral.  176 

Ham.  I  pray  thee,  do  not  mock  me,  fellow-student ; 
I  think  it  was  to  see  my  mother's  wedding. 

Hor.  Indeed,  my  lord,  it  follow'd  hard  upon. 

Ham.  Thrift,   thrift,   Horatio!   the   funeral   bak'd 
meats  180 

Did  coldly  furnish  forth  the  marriage  tables. 
Would  I  had  met  my  dearest  foe  in  heaven 

161  forget  myself ;  cf.  n.  169  disposition:  temperament,  mood 

180  bak'd  meats:  meat  pies;  cf.  n.  182  dearest:  direst 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  ii  15 

Ere  I  had  ever  seen  that  day,  Horatio! 

My  father,  methinks  I  see  my  father.  184 

Hor.  O!  where,  my  lord? 

Ham.  In  my  mind's  eye,  Horatio. 

Hor.  I  saw  him  once;  he  was  a  goodly  king. 

Ham.  He  was  a  man,  take  him  for  all  in  all, 
I  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again.  188 

Hot.  My  lord,  I  think  I  saw  him  yesternight. 

Ham.  Saw?     Who? 

Hor.  My  lord,  the  king  your  father. 

Ham.  The  king,  my  father? 

Hor.  Season  your  admiration  for  a  while  192 

With  an  attent  ear,  till  I  may  deliver, 
Upon  the  witness  of  these  gentlemen, 
This  marvel  to  you. 

Ham.  For  God's  love,  let  me  hear. 

Hor.  Two  nights  together  had  these  gentlemen,  196 
Marcellus  and  Bernardo,  on  their  watch, 
In  the  dead  vast  and  middle  of  the  night, 
Been  thus  encounter'd:  a  figure  like  your  father, 
Arm'd  at  all  points  exactly,  cap-a-pe,  200 

Appears  before  them,  and  with  solemn  march 
Goes  slow  and  stately  by  them:  thrice  he  walk'd 
By  their  oppress'd  and  fear-surprised  eyes, 
Within    his    truncheon's    length;    whilst    they,    dis- 
till'd  204 

Almost  to  jelly  with  the  act  of  fear, 
Stand  dumb  and  speak  not  to  him.     This  to  me 
In  dreadful  secrecy  impart  they  did, 
And  I  with  them  the  third  night  kept  the  watch; 
Where,  as  they  had  deliver'd,  both  in  time,  209 

192  Season:  temper,  qualify  admiration :  wonder,  astonishment 

193  attent:  attentive  198  vast:  waste;  cf.  n. 
200  cap-a-pe:  from  head  to  foot 

204  truncheon :  officer's  staff  distill'd:  melted       205  act:  operation 


1 6  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Form  of  the  thing,  each  word  made  true  and  good, 
The  apparition  comes.     I  knew  your  father; 
These  hands  are  not  more  like. 

Ham.  But  where  was  this  ? 

Mar.  My    lord,    upon    the    platform    where    we 
watch'd.  213 

Ham.  Did  you  not  speak  to  it? 

Hot.  My  lord,  I  did; 

But  answer  made  it  none ;  yet  once  methought 
It  lifted  up  it  head  and  did  address  216 

Itself  to  motion,  like  as  it  would  speak; 
But  even  then  the  morning  cock  crew  loud, 
And  at  the  sound  it  shrunk  in  haste  away 
And  vanish'd  from  our  sight. 

Ham.  'Tis  very  strange.     220 

Hot.  As  I  do  live,  my  honour'd  lord,  'tis  true ; 
And  we  did  think  it  writ  down  in  our  duty 
To  let  you  know  of  it. 

Ham.  Indeed,  indeed,  sirs,  but  this  troubles  me.  224 
Hold  you  the  watch  to-night? 

t>     '    f  We  do,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Arm'd,  say  you  ? 

B"*'     j-  Arm'd,  my  lord. 

Ham.  From  top  to  toe  ? 

„      '    r   My  lord,  from  head  to  foot. 

Ham.  Then  saw  you  not  his  face?  228 

Hot.  O  yes !  my  lord ;  he  wore  his  beaver  up. 
Ham.  What!  look'd  he  frowningly? 
Hot.  A  countenance  more  in  sorrow  than  in  anger. 
Ham.  Pale  or  red?  232 

216  it:  its  229  beaver:  face-guard  of  a  helmet 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  ii  17 

Hor.  Nay,  very  pale. 

Ham.  And  fix'd  his  eyes  upon  you  ? 

Hor.  Most  constantly. 

Ham.  I  would  I  had  been  there. 

Hor.  It  would  have  much  amaz'd  you. 

Ham.  Very  like,  very  like.    Stay'd  it  long  ?  236 

Hor.  While  one  with  moderate  haste  might  tell  a 

hundred. 
Mar. 


r   Longer,  longe 


Hor.  Not  when  I  saw  it. 

Ham.  His  beard  was  grizzled,  no? 

Hor.  It  was,  as  I  have  seen  it  in  his  life,  240 

A  sable  silver'd. 

Ham.  I  will  watch  to-night; 

Perchance  'twill  walk  again. 

Hor.  I  warrant  it  will. 

Ham.  If  it  assume  my  noble  father's  person, 
I'll  speak  to  it,  though  hell  itself  should  gape  244 

And  bid  me  hold  my  peace.     I  pray  you  all, 
If  you  have  hitherto  conceal'd  this  sight, 
Let  it  be  tenable  in  your  silence  still; 
And  whatsoever  else  shall  hap  to-night,  248 

Give  it  an  understanding,  but  no  tongue: 
I  will  requite  your  loves.     So,  fare  you  well. 
Upon  the  platform,  'twixt  eleven  and  twelve, 
I'll  visit  you. 

All.  Our  duty  to  your  honour.  252 

Ham.  Your  loves,  as  mine  to  you.     Farewell. 

Exeunt   [all  but  Hamlet]. 
My  father's  spirit  in  arms !  all  is  not  well ; 
I  doubt  some  foul  play:  would  the  night  were  come! 

237  tell:  count  239  grizzled:  grey 

241  sable:  heraldic  term  for  black    247  tenable:  t hat  which  may  be  kept 


18  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Till  then  sit  still,  my  soul:  foul  deeds  will  rise,  256 
Though  all  the  earth  o'erwhelm  them,  to  men's  eyes. 

Exit. 

Scene  Three 

[Polonius'  Apartment  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Laertes  and  Ophelia. 

Laer.  My  necessaries  are  embark'd ;  farewell : 
And,  sister,  as  the  winds  give  benefit 
And  convoy  is  assistant,  do  not  sleep, 
But  let  me  hear  from  you. 

Oph.  Do  you  doubt  that?        4 

Laer.  For  Hamlet,  and  the  trifling  of  his  favour, 
Hold  it  a  fashion  and  a  toy  in  blood, 
A  violet  in  the  youth  of  primy  nature, 
Forward,  not  permanent,  sweet,  not  lasting,  8 

The  perfume  and  suppliance  of  a  minute; 
No  more. 

Oph.         No  more  but  so? 

Laer.  Think  it  no  more: 

For  nature,  crescent,  does  not  grow  alone 
In  thews  and  bulk ;  but,  as  this  temple  waxes,  12 

The  inward  service  of  the  mind  and  soul 
Grows  wide  withal.     Perhaps  he  loves  you  now, 
And  now  no  soil  nor  cautel  doth  besmirch 
The  virtue  of  his  will ;  but  you  must  fear,  16 

His  greatness  weigh'd,  his  will  is  not  his  own, 
For  he  himself  is  subject  to  his  birth; 
He  may  not,  as  unvalu'd  persons  do, 

2  give  benefit:  are  favorable  3  convoy:  means  of  conveyance 

6  fashion:  mere  form         toy  in  blood:  passing  amorous  fancy 

7  violet;  cf.  n.  primy:  early  8  Forward :  precocious 
9  suppliance:  diversion  11  crescent:  growing 
12  thews:  bodily  strength        temple:  body  14  withal:  also 

15  soil :  ble mish         cautel :  trickery 

16  virtue  of  his  will :  his  virtuous  intentions      19  unvalu'd:  of  low  rank 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  Hi  19 

Carve  for  himself,  for  on  his  choice  depends  20 

The  safety  and  the  health  of  the  whole  state; 
And  therefore  must  his  choice  be  circumscrib'd 
Unto  the  voice  and  yielding  of  that  bod 
Whereof  he  is  the  head.     Then  if  he  says  he  loves 
you,  24 

It  fits  your  wisdom  so  far  to  believe  it 
As  he  in  his  [particular  act  and  place] 
May  give  his  saying  deed;  which  is  no  further 
Than  the  main  voice  of  Denmark  goes  withal.  28 

Then  weigh  what  loss  your  honour  may  sustain, 
If  with  too  credent  ear  you  list  his  songs, 
Or  lose  your  heart,  or  your  chaste  treasure  open 
To  his  unmaster'd  importunity.  32 

Fear  it,  Ophelia,  fear  it,  my  dear  sister ; 
And  keep  you  in  the  rear  of  your  affection, 
Out  of  the  shot  and  danger  of  desire. 
The  chariest  maid  is  prodigal  enough  36 

If  she  unmask  her  beauty  to  the  moon; 
Virtue  herself  'scapes  not  calumnious  strokes; 
The  canker  galls  the  infants  of  the  spring 
Too  oft  before  their  buttons  be  disclos'd,  40 

And  in  the  morn  and  liquid  dew  of  youth 
Contagious  blastments  are  most  imminent. 
Be  wary  then;  best  safety  lies  in  fear: 
Youth  to  itself  rebels,  though  none  else  near.  44 

Oph.  I  shall  th'  effect  of  this  good  lesson  keep, 
As  watchman  to  my  heart.     But,  good  my  brother, 
Do  not,  as  some  ungracious  pastors  do, 

23  voice  and  yielding:  approval  and  compliance 

26  place:  position  as  a  prince;  cf.  n.  27  deed:  effect 

30  credent:  trustful         list:  listen  to 

32  unmaster'd:  unrestrained  36  chariest:  most  scrupulous 

39  canker:  'worm'  that  destroys  leaves  and  buds,  particularly  the  rose 
galls:  injures         infants:  young  plants 

40  buttons:  buds        disclos'd:  opened 

41  liquid  dew:  while  the  dew  is  still  fresh  42  b'astments:  blights 
47  ungracious:  graceless 


20  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Show  me  the  steep  and  thorny  way  to  heaven, 
Whiles,  like  a  puff'd  and  reckless  libertine,  49 

Himself  the  primrose  path  of  dalliance  treads, 
And  recks  not  his  own  rede. 

Laer.  O !  fear  me  not. 

Enter  Polonius. 

I  stay  too  long;  but  here  my  father  comes.  52 

A  double  blessing  is  a  double  grace; 
Occasion  smiles  upon  a  second  leave. 

Pol.  Yet  here,  Laertes !  aboard,  aboard,  for  shame ! 
The  wind  sits  in  the  shoulder  of  your  sail,  56 

And  you  are  stay'd  for.     There,  my  blessing  with 

thee! 
And  these  few  precepts  in  thy  memory 
Look  thou  character.    Give  thy  thoughts  no  tongue, 
Nor  any  unproportion'd  thought  his  act.  60 

Be  thou  familiar,  but  by  no  means  vulgar; 
The  friends  thou  hast,  and  their  adoption  tried, 
Grapple  them  to  thy  soul  with  hoops  of  steel; 
But  do  not  dull  thy  palm  with  entertainment  64 

Of  each  new-hatch'd,  unfledg'd  comrade.      Beware 
Of  entrance  to  a  quarrel,  but,  being  in, 
Bear  't  that  th'  opposed  may  beware  of  thee. 
Give  every  man  thine  ear,  but  few  thy  voice;  68 

Take  each  man's  censure,  but  reserve  thy  judgment. 
Costly  thy  habit  as  thy  purse  can  buy, 
But  not  express'd  in  fancy ;  rich,  not  gaudy ; 
For  the  apparel  oft  proclaims  the  man,  72 

49  puff'd :  bloated  from  excess 

50  primrose  path :  path  of  pleasure  51  recks:  heeds  rede:  counsel 
53  double;  cf.  n.  54  Occasion:  opportunity  56  wind  .  .  .  of ;  cf.  n. 
58  precepts;  cf.  n.  59  character:  inscribe 
60  unproportion'd:  inordinate  61  familiar:  friendly 

64  dull  thy  palm:  make  thy  palm  less  sensitive  to  true  hospitality 

65  unfledg'd :  immature  69  censure:  opinion 
71  express'd  in  fancy:  singular  in  design 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  Hi  21 

And  they  in  France  of  the  best  rank  and  station 

Are  most  select  and  generous,  chief  in  that. 

Neither  a  borrower,  nor  a  lender  be ; 

For  loan  oft  loses  both  itself  and  friend,  76 

And  borrowing  dulls  the  edge  of  husbandry. 

This  above  all:  to  thine  own  self  be  true, 

And  it  must  follow,  as  the  night  the  day, 

Thou  canst  not  then  be  false  to  any  man.  80 

Farewell ;  my  blessing  season  this  in  thee ! 

Laer.  Most  humbly  do  I  take  my  leave,  my  lord. 

Pol.  The  time  invites  you;  go,  your  servants  tend. 

Laer.  Farewell,  Ophelia;  and  remember  well 
What  I  have  said  to  you. 

Oph.  'Tis  in  my  memory  lock'd, 

And  you  yourself  shall  keep  the  key  of  it.  86 

Laer.  Farewell.  Exit  Laertes. 

Pol.  What  is  't,  Ophelia,  he  hath  said  to  you? 

Oph.  So  please  you,  something  touching  the  Lord 
Hamlet. 

Pol.  Marry,  well  bethought: 
'Tis  told  me,  he  hath  very  oft  of  late 
Given  private  time  to  you;  and  you  yourself  92 

Have  of  your  audience  been  most  free  and  bounteous. 
If  it  be  so, — as  so  'tis  put  on  me, 
And  that  in  way  of  caution, — I  must  tell  you, 
You  do  not  understand  yourself  so  clearly  96 

As  it  behoves  my  daughter  and  your  honour. 
What  is  between  you?  give  me  up  the  truth. 

Oph.  He  hath,  my  lord,  of  late  made  many  tenders 
Of  his  affection  to  me.  100 

74  Are  .  .  .  that;  cf.  n.  77  husbandry:  thrift 

83  tend :  are  in  waiting 

90  Marry:  an  oath  derived  from  the  name  of  Saint  Mary 

92  private  time:  time  in  private  visits 

94  put  on:  impressed  on  99  tenders:  offers;  cf.  n. 


22  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Pol.  Affection !  pooh !  you  speak  like  a  green  girl, 
Unsifted  in  such  perilous  circumstance. 
Do  you  believe  his  tenders,  as  you  call  them? 

Oph.  I    do   not   know,   my   lord,   what    I    should 
think.  104 

Pol.  Marry,  I'll  teach  you:  think  yourself  a  baby, 
That  you  have  ta'en  these  tenders  for  true  pay, 
Which  are  not  sterling.    Tender  yourself  more  dearly ; 
Or, — not  to  crack  the  wind  of  the  poor  phrase, 
Roaming  it  thus, — you'll  tender  me  a  fool.  109 

Oph.  My  lord,  he  hath  importun'd  me  with  love 
In  honourable  fashion. 

Pol.  Ay,  fashion  you  may  call  it :  go  to,  go  to. 

Oph.  And  hath  given  countenance  to  his  speech, 
my  lord,  113 

With  almost  all  the  holy  vows  of  heaven. 

Pol.  Ay,  springes  to  catch  woodcocks.     I  do  know, 
When  the  blood  burns,  how  prodigal  the  soul  116 

Lends  the  tongue  vows:  these  blazes,  daughter, 
Giving  more  light  than  heat,  extinct  in  both, 
Even  in  their  promise,  as  it  is  a-making, 
You  must  not  take  for  fire.    From  this  time  120 

Be  somewhat  scanter  of  your  maiden  presence; 
Set  your  entreatments  at  a  higher  rate 
Than  a  command  to  parley.     For  Lord  Hamlet, 
Believe  so  much  in  him,  that  he  is  young,  124 

And  with  a  larger  tether  may  he  walk 
Than  may  be  given  you :  in  few,  Ophelia, 
Do  not  believe  his  vows,  for  they  are  brokers, 
Not  of  that  dye  which  their  investments  show, 

101  green:  inexperienced 

102  Unsifted:  untried         circumstance:  state  of  affairs 
107  sterling:  legal  currency  Tender:  have  a  regard  for 
115  springes:  snares        woodcocks;  cf.  n. 

122  entreatments:  conversations,  interviews 

126  in  few:  briefly  127  brokers:  go-betweens,  procurers 

128  investments:  vestments,  clothes 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  iv  23 

But  mere  implorators  of  unholy  suits,  129 

Breathing  like  sanctified  and  pious  bonds, 
The  better  to  beguile.    This  is  for  all : 

1  would  not,  in  plain  terms,  from  this  time  forth, 
Have  you  so  slander  any  moment's  leisure,  133 
As  to  give  words  or  talk  with  the  Lord  Hamlet. 
Look  to  't,  I  charge  you;  come  your  ways. 

Oph.  I  shall  obey,  my  lord.  Exeunt. 

Scene  Four 

\_A  Platform  of  the  Castle] 

Enter  Hamlet,  Horatio,  and  Marcellus. 

Ham.  The  air  bites  shrewdly;  it  is  very  cold. 
Hor.  It  is  a  nipping  and  an  eager  air. 
Ham.  What  hour  now  ? 

Hor.  I  think  it  lacks  of  twelve. 

Mar.  No,  it  is  struck.  4 

Hor.  Indeed?     I  heard  it  not:  then  it  draws  near 
the  season 
Wherein  the  spirit  held  his  wont  to  walk. 

A  flourish  of  trumpets,  and  two  pieces  [o/ 
ordnance]  go  off. 
What  does  this  mean,  my  lord? 

Ham.  The  king  doth  wake  to-night  and  takes  his 
rouse,  8 

Keeps  wassail,  and  the  swaggering  up-spring  reels; 
And,  as  he  drains  his  draughts  of  Rhenish  down, 
The  kettle-drum  and  trumpet  thus  bray  out 
The  triumph  of  his  pledge. 

129  implorators:  solicitor s  133  slander :  bring  reproach  upon 

2  eager :  sharp  8  wake :  hold  a  revel  by  night 

9  Keeps  wassail:  holds  a  drinking-bout  up-spring:  wild  dance  of 
German  origin  , 

10  Rhenish:  Rhine  wine  12  pledge:  toast 


24  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Hor.  Is  it  a  custom?  12 

Ham.  Ay,  marry,  is  *t: 
But  to  my  mind, — though  I  am  native  here 
And  to  the  manner  born, — it  is  a  custom 
More  honour'd  in  the  breach  than  the  observance.      16 
[This  heavy-headed  revel  east  and  west 
Makes  us  traduc'd  and  tax'd  of  other  nations ; 
They  clepe  us  drunkards,  and  with  swinish  phrase 
Soil  our  addition;  and  indeed  it  takes  20 

From  our  achievements,  though  perform'd  at  height, 
The  pith  and  marrow  of  our  attribute. 
So,  oft  it  chances  in  particular  men, 
That  for  some  vicious  mole  of  nature  in  them,  24 

As,  in  their  birth, — wherein  they  are  not  guilty, 
Since  nature  cannot  choose  his  origin, — 
By  the  o'ergrowth  of  some  complexion, 
Oft  breaking  down  the  pales  and  forts  of  reason, 
Or  by  some  habit  that  too  much  o'er-leavens  29 

The  form  of  plausive  manners ;  that  these  men, 
Carrying,  I  say,  the  stamp  of  one  defect, 
Being  nature's  livery,  or  fortune's  star,  32 

Their  virtues  else,  be  they  as  pure  as  grace, 
As  infinite  as  man  may  undergo, 
Shall  in  the  general  censure  take  corruption 
From  that  particular  fault:  the  dram  of  eale  36 

Doth  all  the  noble  substance  of  a  doubt, 
To  his  own  scandal.] 

Enter  Ghost. 

18  traduc'd  and  tax'd:  defamed  and  censured 

19  clepe:  call         swinish:  gross 

20  Soil  our  addition:  blemish  our  good  name  22  attribute:  reputation 
24  mole:  blemish  27  complexion:  natural  tendency 
28  pales:  palings  29  o'er-leavens:  makes  too  light 
30  plausive:  pleasing 

32  nature's  livery :  natural  attributes  fortune's  star:  the  position  in 

which  one  is  placed  by  fortune 
34  undergo:  bear  the  weight  of  36  dram  of  eale;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  iv  25 

Hor.  Look,  my  lord,  it  comes. 

Ham.  Angels  and  ministers  of  grace  defend  us ! 
Be  thou  a  spirit  of  health  or  goblin  damn'd,  40 

Bring  with  thee  airs  from  heaven  or  blasts  from  hell, 
Be  thy  intents  wicked  or  charitable, 
Thou  com'st  in  such  a  questionable  shape 
That  I  will  speak  to  thee:  I'll  call  thee  Hamlet, 
King,  father,  royal  Dane ;  O !  answer  me :  45 

Let  me  not  burst  in  ignorance ;  but  tell 
Why  thy  canoniz'd  bones,  hearsed  in  death, 
Have  burst  their  cerements ;  why  the  sepulchre, 
Wherein  we  saw  thee  quietly  inurn'd,  49 

Hath  op'd  his  ponderous  and  marble  jaws, 
To  cast  thee  up  again.     What  may  this  mean, 
That  thou,  dead  corse,  again  in  complete  steel  52 

Revisit'st  thus  the  glimpses  of  the  moon, 
Making  night  hideous;  and  we  fools  of  nature 
So  horridly  to  shake  our  disposition 
With  thoughts  beyond  the  reaches  of  our  souls  ?  56 

Say,  why  is  this?  wherefore?  what  should  we  do? 

Ghost  beckons  Hamlet. 

Hor.  It  beckons  you  to  go  away  with  it, 
As  if  it  some  impartment  did  desire 
To  you  alone. 

Mar.  Look,  with  what  courteous  action       60 

It  waves  you  to  a  more  removed  ground: 
But  do  not  go  with  it. 

Hor.  No,  by  no  means. 

Ham.  It  will  not  speak ;  then,  will  I  follow  it. 

39  ministers  of  grace:  messengers  of  God 

40  spirit  of  health :  good  spirit         goblin :  evil  spirit 
43  questionable :  inviting  question 

47  canoniz'd:  buried  according  to  the  Church's  rule        hearsed:  coffined 

48  cerements :  grave-clothes  49  inurn'd :  interred 
53  glimpses  of  the  moon:  the  earth  by  night 

56  reaches:  capacities  59  impartment:  communication 


26  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Hor.  Do  not,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Why,  what  should  be  the  fear?     64 

I  do  not  set  my  life  at  a  pin's  fee ; 
And  for  my  soul,  what  can  it  do  to  that, 
Being  a  thing  immortal  as  itself? 
It  waves  me  forth  again;  I'll  follow  it.  68 

Hor.  What  if  it  tempt  you  toward  the  flood,  my 
lord, 
Or  to  the  dreadful  summit  of  the  cliff 
That  beetles  o'er  his  base  into  the  sea, 
And  there  assume  some  other  horrible  form,  72 

Which  might  deprive  your  sovereignty  of  reason 
And  draw  you  into  madness  ?  think  of  it ; 
[The  very  place  puts  toys  of  desperation, 
Without  more  motive,  into  every  brain  76 

That  looks  so  many  fathoms  to  the  sea 
And  hears  it  roar  beneath.] 

Ham.  It  wafts  me  still.     Go  on,  I'll  follow  thee. 

Mar.  You  shall  not  go,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Hold  off  your  hands  !     80 

Hor.  Be  rul'd;  you  shall  not  go. 

Ham.  My  fate  cries  out, 

And  makes  each  petty  artery  in  this  body 
As  hardy  as  the  Nemean  lion's  nerve. 
Still  am  I  call'd.    Unhand  me,  gentlemen,  84 

[Breaking  from  them.~\ 
By  heaven!  I'll  make  a  ghost  of  him  that  lets  me: 
I  say,  away !    Go  on,  I'll  follow  thee. 

Exeunt  Ghost  and  Hamlet. 

Hor.  He  waxes  desperate  with  imagination. 

Mar.  Let's  follow ;  'tis  not  fit  thus  to  obey  him.      88 

65  at  .  .  .  fee:  at  even  a  trifling  value  69  flood:  sea 

71  beetles:  overhangs  threateningly 

73  deprive  .  .  .  reason:  dethrone  reason  from  its  sovereignty 

75  toys  of  desperation:  whims  involving  thoughts  of  self-destruction 

83  Nemean  lion's;  cf.  n.         nerve:  sinew,  tendon  85  lets:  hinders 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  v  27 

Hor.  Have  after.    To  what  issue  will  this  come? 
Mar.  Something  is  rotten  in  the  state  of  Denmark. 
Hor.  Heaven  will  direct  it. 

Mar.  Nay,  let's  follow  him. 

Exeunt. 

Scene  Five 

[A  more  remote  Part  of  the  Platform} 

Enter  Ghost  and  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Whither  wilt  thou  lead  me?  speak;  I'll  go  no 
further. 

Ghost.  Mark  me. 

Ham.  I  will. 

Ghost.  My  hour  is  almost  come, 

When  I  to  sulphurous  and  tormenting  flames 
Must  render  up  myself. 

Ham.  Alas !  poor  ghost.  4 

Ghost.  Pity  me  not,  but  lend  thy  serious  hearing 
To  what  I  shall  unfold. 

Ham.  Speak;  I  am  bound  to  hear. 

Ghost.  So  art  thou  to  revenge,  when  thou  shalt  hear. 

Ham.  What?  8 

Ghost.  I  am  thy  father's  spirit ; 
Doom'd  for  a  certain  term  to  walk  the  night, 
And  for  the  day  confin'd  to  fast  in  fires, 
Till  the  foul  crimes  done  in  my  days  of  nature 
Are  burnt  and  purg'd  away.    But  that  I  am  forbid    13 
To  tell  the  secrets  of  my  prison-house, 
I  could  a  tale  unfold  whose  lightest  word 
Would  harrow  up  thy  soul,  freeze  thy  young  blood,    16 
Make  thy  two  eyes,  like  stars,  start  from  their  spheres, 

89  issue:  outcome  17  spheres:  orbits 


28  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Thy  knotted  and  combined  locks  to  part, 

And  each  particular  hair  to  stand  an  end, 

Like  quills  upon  the  fretful  porpentine :  20 

But  this  eternal  blazon  must  not  be 

To  ears  of  flesh  and  blood.    List,  list,  O  list ! 

If  thou  didst  ever  thy  dear  father  love — 

Ham.  O  God!  24 

Ghost.  Revenge    his     foul     and    most    unnatural 
murder. 

Ham.  Murder! 

Ghost.  Murder  most  foul,  as  in  the  best  it  is ; 
But  this  most  foul,  strange,  and  unnatural.  28 

Ham.  Haste  me  to  know  't,  that  I,  with  wings  as 
swift 
As  meditation  or  the  thoughts  of  love, 
May  sweep  to  my  revenge. 

Ghost.  I  find  thee  apt ; 

And  duller  shouldst  thou  be  than  the  fat  weed 
That  rots  itself  in  ease  on  Lethe  wharf,  33 

Wouldst  thou  not  stir  in  this.     Now,  Hamlet,  hear: 
'Tis  given  out  that,  sleeping  in  mine  orchard, 
A  serpent  stung  me ;  so  the  whole  ear  of  Denmark     38 
Is  by  a  forged  process  of  my  death 
Rankly  abus'd ;  but  know,  thou  noble  youth, 
The  serpent  that  did  sting  thy  father's  life 
Now  wears  his  crown. 

Ham.  O  my  prophetic  coul!  40 

My  uncle ! 

Ghost.  Ay,  that  incestuous,  that  adulterate  beast, 

18  knotted:  neatly  arranged         combined:  smoothly  combed 

19  an:  on  20  porpentine:  porcupine 
21  eternal  blazon:  revelation  of  eternity;  cf.  n. 

25  unnatural:  i.e.,  for  one  brother  to  kill  another 

31  apt:  ready  to  learn  32  fat  weed;  cf.  n. 

33  Lethe;  cf.  n.         wharf :  bank  35  orchard :  garden 

37  process:  narrative      38  abus'd:  deceived    42  adulterate:  adulterous 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.  v  29 

With  witchcraft  of  his  wit,  with  traitorous  gifts, — 
O  wicked  wit  and  gifts,  that  have  the  power  44 

So  to  seduce ! — won  to  his  shameful  lust 
The  will  of  my  most  seeming-virtuous  queen. 

0  Hamlet !  what  a  f  alling-off  was  there ; 

From  me,  whose  love  was  of  that  dignity  48 

That  it  went  hand  in  hand  even  with  the  vow 

1  made  to  her  in  marriage ;  and  to  decline 
Upon  a  wretch  whose  natural  gifts  were  poor 

To  those  of  mine !  52 

But  virtue,  as  it  never  will  be  mov'd, 

Though  lewdness  court  it  in  a  shape  of  heaven, 

So  lust,  though  to  a  radiant  angel  link'd, 

Will  sate  itself  in  a  celestial  bed,  56 

And  prey  on  garbage. 

But,  soft !  methinks  I  scent  the  morning  air ; 

Brief  let  me  be.    Sleeping  within  mine  orchard, 

My  custom  always  in  the  afternoon,  60 

Upon  my  secure  hour  thy  uncle  stole, 

With  juice  of  cursed  hebona  in  a  vial, 

And  in  the  porches  of  mine  ears  did  pour 

The  leperous  distilment;  whose  effect  64 

Holds  such  an  enmity  with  blood  of  man 

That  swift  as  quicksilver  it  courses  through 

The  natural  gates  and  alleys  of  the  body, 

And  with  a  sudden  vigour  it  doth  posset  68 

And  curd,  like  eager  droppings  into  milk, 

The  thin  and  wholesome  blood :  so  did  it  mine ; 

And  a  most  instant  tetter  bark'd  about, 

Most  lazar-like,  with  vile  and  loathsome  crust, 

All  my  smooth  body.  73 

62  hebona:  yew,  notorious  for  its  poisonous  properties 

64  leperous:  causing  leprosy 

67  gates  and  alleys;  cf.  n.  68  posset:  curdle  69  eager:  sovr 

71  instant:  instantaneous         tetter:  skin  eruption 

72  lazar-like:  leprous-like 


30  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Thus  was  1,  sleeping,  by  a  brother's  hand, 
Of  life,  of  crown,  of  queen,  at  once  dispatch'd; 
Cut  off  even  in  the  blossoms  of  my  sin,  76 

Unhousel'd,  disappointed,  unanel'd, 
No  reckoning  made,  but  sent  to  my  account 
With  all  my  imperfections  on  my  head: 
O,  horrible !  O,  horrible !  most  horrible !  80 

If  thou  hast  nature  in  thee,  bear  it  not; 
Let  not  the  royal  bed  of  Denmark  be 
A  couch  for  luxury  and  damned  incest. 
But,  howsoever  thou  pursu'st  this  act,  84 

Taint  not  thy  mind,  nor  let  thy  soul  contrive 
Against  thy  mother  aught;  leave  her  to  heaven, 
And  to  those  thorns  that  in  her  bosom  lodge, 
To  prick  and  sting  her.    Fare  thee  well  at  once ! 
The  glow-worm  shows  the  matin  to  be  near,  89 

And  'gins  to  pale  his  uneffectual  fire ; 
Adieu,  adieu!  Hamlet,  remember  me.  Exit. 

Ham.  O  all  you  host  of  heaven !     O  earth !    What 

else  ?  92 

And  shall  I  couple  hell?     O  fie!     Hold,  hold,  my 

heart ! 
And  you,  my  sinews,  grow  not  instant  old, 
But  bear  me  stiffly  up !     Remember  thee ! 
Ay,  thou  poor  ghost,  while  memory  holds  a  seat 
In  this  distracted  globe.     Remember  thee!  97 

Yea,  from  the  table  of  my  memory 
I'll  wipe  away  all  trivial  fond  records, 

75  dispatch'd:  bereft 

77  Unhousel'd:  without  having  received  the  Holy  Communion  disap- 
pointed: unprepared  unanel'd:  without  having  received  extreme 
unction 

78  reckoning:  conf ession  and  absolution  80  horrible;  cf.n. 
83  luxury:  lasciviousness  89  matin :  morning 
90  uneffectual:  losing  its  effect  97  distracted  globe:  confused  head 
98  table:  writing-ta blet  99  fond:  foolish 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.v  31 

All  saws  of  books,  all  forms,  all  pressures  past, 

That  youth  and  observation  copied  there;  101 

And  thy  commandment  all  alone  shall  live 

Within  the  book  and  volume  of  my  brain, 

Unmix'd  with  baser  matter :  yes,  by  heaven !  104 

O  most  pernicious  woman ! 

0  villain,  villain,  smiling,  damned  villain ! 

My  tables,  my  tables, — meet  it  is  I  set  it  down, 
That  one  may  smile,  and  smile,  and  be  a  villain ; 
At  least  I'm  sure  it  may  be  so  in  Denmark:  109 

[Writing.  ] 
So,  uncle,  there  you  are.    Now  to  my  word; 
It  is,  'Adieu,  adieu !  remember  me.' 

1  have  sworn  't.  •  112 
Hor.  and  Mar.  (Within.)   My  lord!  my  lord! 

Enter  Horatio  and  Marcellus. 
Mar.  Lord  Hamlet! 

Hor.  Heaven  secure  him! 

Mar.  So  be  it ! 
Hor.  Hillo,  ho,  ho,  my  lord ! 
Ham.  Hillo,  ho,  ho,  boy !  come,  bird,  come. 
Mar.  How  is  't,  my  noble  lord? 
Hor.  What  news,  my  lord?     117 

Ham.  O!  wonderful. 

Hor.  Good  my  lord,  tell  it. 

Ham.  No;  you  will  reveal  it. 
Hor.  Not  I,  my  lord,  by  heaven ! 
Mar.  Nor  I,  my  lord.     120 

Ham.  How  say  you,  then;  would  heart  of  man  once 
think  it? 
But  you'll  be  secret? 

100  saws:  maxims         pressures:  impressions — as  of  a  seal 
110  word:  watch-word  115  Hillo,  ho,  ho:  falconer's  hunting  call 

116  come,  bird,  come:  call  which  falconers  use  to  their  hawk  in  the 
air 


82  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


r  Ay,  by  heaven,  my  lord. 


Hor. 

Mar. 

Ham.  There's  ne'er  a  villain  dwelling  in  all  Den- 
mark, 
But  he  's  an  arrant  knave.  124 

Hor.  There  needs  no  ghost,  my  lord,  come  from 
the  grave, 
To  tell  us  this. 

Ham.  Why,  right;  you  are  i'  the  right; 

And  so,  without  more  circumstance  at  all, 
I  hold  it  fit  that  we  shake  hands  and  part ;  128 

You,  as  your  business  and  desire  shall  point  you, — 
For  every  man  hath  business  and  desire, 
Such  as  it  is, — and,  for  mine  own  poor  part, 
Look  you,  I'll  go  pray.  132 

Hor.  These  are  but  wild  and  hurling  words,  my 
lord. 

Ham.  I  am  sorry  they  offend  you,  heartily; 
Yes,  faith,  heartily. 

Hor.  There's  no  offence,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Yes,     by     Saint     Patrick,     but     there     is, 
Horatio,  136 

And  much  offence,  too.    Touching  this  vision  here, 
It  is  an  honest  ghost,  that  let  me  tell  you ; 
For  your  desire  to  know  what  is  between  us, 
O'ermaster  't  as  you  may.    And  now,  good  friends,  140 
As  you  are  friends,  scholars,  and  soldiers, 
Give  me  one  poor  request. 

Hor.  What  is  't,  my  lord?  we  will. 

Ham.  Never  make  known  what  you  have  seen  to- 
night. 144 

124  arrant:  thoroughgoing 

127  without  more  circumstance:  without  further  details 

133  hurling:  violent  136  Saint  Patrick;  cf.  n. 

138  honest  ghost;  cf.  n.  140  O'ermaster  't:  conquer  it 


Prince  of  Denmark,  I.v  33 


r  My  lord,  we  will  not. 


Hor. 

Mar. 

Ham.  Nay,  but  swear  't. 

Hor.  In  faith, 

My  lord,  not  I. 

Mar.  Nor  I,  my  lord,  in  faith. 

Ham.  Upon  my  sword. 

Mar.  We  have  sworn,  my  lord,  already. 

Ham.  Indeed,  upon  my  sword,  indeed.  148 

Ghost.  Swear.  Ghost  cries  under  the  stage. 

Ham.  Ah,  ha,  boy !  sayst  thou  so  ?  art  thou  there, 
true-penny  ? 
Come  on, — you  hear  this  fellow  in  the  cellarage, — 
Consent  to  swear. 

Hor.  Propose  the  oath,  my  lord.         152 

Ham.  Never  to  speak  of  this  that  you  have  seen, 
Swear  by  my  sword. 

Ghost.  [Beneath.']    Swear. 

Ham.  Hie     et     ubique?     then     we'll     shift     our 
ground.  156 

Come  hither,  gentlemen, 
And  lay  your  hands  again  upon  my  sword: 
Never  to  speak  of  this  that  you  have  heard, 
Swear  by  my  sword.  160 

Ghost.  [Beneath.]   Swear. 

Ham.  Well  said,  old  mole !  canst  work  i'  the  earth 
so  fast? 

A  worthy  pioner !  once  more  remove,  good  friends. 

Hor.  O    day    and    night,    but    this    is    wondrous 
strange !  164 

Ham.  And  therefore  as  a  stranger  give  it  welcome. 

ISO  true-penny:  honest  fellow  154  sword;  cf.  n. 

156  Hie  et  ubique:  here  and  everywhere  163  pioner:  digger,  miner 


84  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

There  are  more  things  in  heaven  and  earth,  Horatio, 
Than  are  dreamt  of  in  your  philosophy. 
But  come ;  168 

Here,  as  before,  never,  so  help  you  mercy, 
How  strange  or  odd  soe'er  I  bear  myself, 
As  I  perchance  hereafter  shall  think  meet 
To  put  an  antic  disposition  on,  172 

That  you,  at  such  times  seeing  me,  never  shall, 
With  arms  encumber'd  thus,  or  thus,  head  shake, 
Or  by  pronouncing  of  some  doubtful  phrase, 
As,  'Well,  well,  we  know/  or,  'We  could,  an  if  we 
would ;'  176 

Or,  'If  we  list  to  speak/  or,  'There  be,  an  if  they 

might ;' 
Or  such  ambiguous  giving  out,  to  note 
That  you  know  aught  of  me :  this  not  to  do, 
So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  most  need  help  you, 
Swear.  180 

Ghost.  [Beneath. ]   Swear.  [They  swear.] 

Ham.  Rest,  rest,  perturbed  spirit!     So,  gentlemen, 
With  all  my  love  I  do  commend  me  to  you : 
And  what  so  poor  a  man  as  Hamlet  is  184 

May  do,  to  express  his  love  and  friending  to  you, 
God  willing,  shall  not  lack.     Let  us  go  in  together; 
And  still  your  fingers  on  your  lips,  I  pray. 
The  time  is  out  of  j  oint ;  O  cursed  spite,  188 

That  ever  I  was  born  to  set  it  right ! 
Nay,  come,  let's  go  together.  Exeunt. 

167  your;  cf.  n.  171  meet:  proper  172  antic:  fantastic 

174  encumber'd:  probably  folded  175  doubtful:  ambiguous 

177  an  if:  an  intensive  form  of  if 

178  to  note:  to  give  a  sign  188  spite:  vexatious  circumstance 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  i  35 

ACT  SECOND 

Scene  One 

[Polonius'  Apartment  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Polonius  and  Reynaldo. 

Pol.  Give  him  this  money  and  these  notes,   Rey- 
naldo. 

Rey.  I  will,  my  lord. 

Pol.  You  shall   do  marvellous  wisely,   good   Rey- 
naldo, 
Before  you  visit  him,  to  make  inquiry  4 

Of  his  behaviour. 

Rey.  My  lord,  I  did  intend  it. 

Pol.  Marry,  well  said,  very  well  said.     Look  you, 
sir, 
Inquire  me  first  what  Danskers  are  in  Paris; 
And  how,   and  who,   what  means,   and  where   they 
keep,  8 

What  company,  at  what  expense;  and  finding 
By  this  encompassment  and  drift  of  question 
That  they  do  know  my  son,  come  you  more  nearer 
Than  your  particular  demands  will  touch  it:  12 

Take  you,  as  'twere,  some  distant  knowledge  of  him; 
As  thus,  'I  know  his  father,  and  his  friends, 
And,  in  part,  him;'  do  you  mark  this,  Reynaldo? 

Rey.  Ay,  very  well,  my  lord.  16 

Pol.  'And,  in  part,  him;  but,'  you  may  say,  'not 
well: 
But  if  't  be  he  I  mean,  he's  very  wild, 
Addicted  so  and  so ;'  and  there  put  on  him 

7  Danskers:  Danes  8  keep:/jV* 

10  encompassment:  'talking  round'  a  subject         12  demands:  questions 
13  Take:  assume  19  put  on:  impute  to 


36  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

What  forgeries  you  please;  marry,  none  so  rank 

As  may  dishonour  him;  take  heed  of  that;  21 

But,  sir,  such  wanton,  wild,  and  usual  slips 

As  are  companions  noted  and  most  known 

To  youth  and  liberty. 

Rey.  As  gaming,  my  lord?  24 

Pol.  Ay,   or  drinking,   fencing,  swearing,  quarrel- 
ling, 
Drabbing;  you  may  go  so  far. 

Rey.  My  lord,  that  would  dishonour  him. 

Pol.  Faith,    no;    as    you    may    season    it    in    the 
charge.  28 

You  must  not  put  another  scandal  on  him, 
That  he  is  open  to  incontinency ; 
That's  not  my  meaning;   but  breathe  his   faults   so 

quaintly 
That  they  may  seem  the  taints  of  liberty,  32 

The  flash  and  outbreak  of  a  fiery  mind, 
A  savageness  in  unreclaimed  blood, 
Of  general  assault. 

Rey.  But,  my  good  lord, — 

Pol.  Wherefore  should  you  do  this? 

Rey.  Ay,  my  lord,     36 

I  would  know  that. 

Pol.  Marry,  sir,  here's  my  drift; 

And,  I  believe,  it  is  a  fetch  of  warrant: 
You  laying  these  slight  sullies  on  my  son, 
As  'twere  a  thing  a  little  soil'd  i'  the  working,  40 

Mark  you, 

20  forgeries:  invented  tales  rank:  excessive 

22  wanton:  unrestrained 

26  Drabbing:  associating  with  immoral  women 

30  incontinency:  habitual  loose  behavior  31   quaintly:  ingeniously 

32  taints  of  liberty:  blemishes  due  to  freedom 

34  unreclaimed:  untamed 

35  Of  general  assault:  to  which  all  arc  liable;  cf.  n. 

38  fetch  of  warrant:  justifiable  trick  39  sullies:  blemishes 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  i  3? 

Your  party  in  converse,  him  you  would  sound, 

Having  ever  seen  in  the  prenominate  crimes 

The  youth  you  breathe  of  guilty,  be  assur'd,  44 

He  closes  with  you  in  this  consequence; 

'Good  sir,'  or  so;  or  'friend,'  or  'gentleman,' 

According  to  the  phrase  or  the  addition 

Of  man  and  country. 

Rey.  Very  good,  my  lord.  48 

Pol.  And  then,  sir,  does  he  this, — he  does, — 

what  was  I  about  to  say?     By  the  mass  I  was 

about  to  say  something:  where  did  I  leave? 

Rey.  At  'closes  in  the  consequence.'  52 

At  'friend  or  so,'  and  'gentleman.' 

Pol.  At  'closes  in  the  consequence,'  ay,  marry; 
He  closes  with  you  thus:  'I  know  the  gentleman; 
I  saw  him  yesterday,  or  t'  other  day,  56 

Or  then,  or  then ;  with  such,  or  such ;  and,  as  you  say, 
There  was  a'  gaming;  there  o'ertook  in  's  rouse; 
There  falling  out  at  tennis ;'  or  perchance, 
'I  saw  him  enter  such  a  house  of  sale,'  60 

Videlicet,  a  brothel,  or  so  forth. 
See  you  now; 

Your  bait  of  falsehood  takes  this  carp  of  truth; 
And  thus  do  we  of  wisdom  and  of  reach,  64 

With  windlasses,  and  with  assays  of  bias, 
By  indirections  find  directions  out: 

50  by  my  former  lecture  and  advice 

Shall  you  my  son.     You  have  me,  have  you  not? 
Rey.  My  lord,  I  have. 

43  prenominate:  aforesaid 

45  closes:  agrees  consequence:  conclusion 

51  leave:  leave  off  58  a':  he         o'ertook  in  's  rouse:  drunk 

60  house  of  sale:  house  of  ill  fame 

61  Videlicet:  namely  64  reach:  ability 

65  windlasses:  roundabout  ways  assays  of  bias:  indirect  attempts 

66  indirections:  devious  courses  directions:  straight  courses — i.e., 
the  truth 

67  lecture:  instruction 


R 305073 


88  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Pol.  God  be  wi'  you;  fare  you  well.     c:> 

Rey.  Good  my  lord ! 

Pol.  Observe  his  inclination  in  yourself. 
Rey.  I  shall,  my  lord.  72 

Pol.  And  let  him  ply  his  music. 
Rey.  Well,  my  lord. 

Pol.  Farewell !  Exit  Reynaldo. 

Enter  Ophelia. 

How  now,  Ophelia!  what's  the  matter? 

Oph.  Alas !  my  lord,  I  have  been  so  affrighted. 

Pol.  With  what,  in  the  name  of  God?  76 

Oph.  My  lord,  as  I  was  sewing  in  my  closet, 
Lord  Hamlet,  with  his  doublet  all  unbrac'd; 
No  hat  upon  his  head;  his  stockings  foul'd, 
Ungarter'd,  and  down-gyved  to  his  ankle;  80 

Pale  as  his  shirt;  his  knees  knocking  each  other; 
And  with  a  look  so  piteous  in  purport 
As  if  he  had  been  loosed  out  of  hell 
To  speak  of  horrors,  he  comes  before  me.  84 

Pol.  Mad  for  thy  love? 

Oph.  My  lord,  I  do  not  know; 

But  truly  I  do  fear  it. 

Pol.  What  said  he? 

Oph.  He  took  me  by  the  wrist  and  held  me  hard, 
Then  goes  he  to  the  length  of  all  his  arm,  88 

And,  with  his  other  hand  thus  o'er  his  brow, 
He  falls  to  such  perusal  of  my  face 
As  he  would  draw  it.     Long  stay'd  he  so; 
At  last,  a  little  shaking  of  mine  arm,  92 

And  thrice  his  head  thus  waving  up  and  down, 

71  inclination  in  yourself:  character  for  yourself 

73  ply  his  music:  go  hi s  own  gait  77  closet:  apartment 

78  doublet :  close-fitting  coat         unbracM:  unfastened 

80  down-gyved:  hanging  down  like  gyves  or  fetters 

90  perusal :  scrutiny 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  i  39 

He  rais'd  a  sigh  so  piteous  and  profound 

That  it  did  seem  to  shatter  all  his  bulk 

And  end  his  being.     That  done,  he  lets  me  go,  96 

And,  with  his  head  over  his  shoulder  turn'd, 

He  seem'd  to  find  his  way  without  his  eyes ; 

For  out  o'  doors  he  went  without  their  help, 

And  to  the  last  bended  their  light  on  me.  100 

Pol.  Come,  go  with  me;  I  will  go  seek  the  king. 
This  is  the  very  ecstasy  of  love, 
Whose  violent  property  fordoes  itself 
And  leads  the  will  to  desperate  undertakings 
As  oft  as  any  passion  under  heaven  105 

That  does  afflict  our  natures.     I  am  sorry. 
What !  have  you  given  him  any  hard  words  of  late  ? 

Oph.  No,   my   good   lord;   but,   as   you   did   com- 
mand, 108 
I  did  repel  his  letters  and  denied 
His  access  to  me. 

Pol.  That  hath  made  him  mad 

I  am  sorry  that  with  better  heed  and  judgment 
I  had  not  quoted  him ;  I  f ear'd  he  did  but  trifle, 
And     meant     to     wrack     thee;     but,     beshrew     my 
jealousy!  113 

By  heaven,  it  is  as  proper  to  our  age 
To  cast  beyond  ourselves  in  our  opinions 
As  it  is  common  for  the  younger  sort  116 

To  lack  discretion.     Come,  go  we  to  the  king: 
This  must  be  known;  which,  being  kept  close,  might 

move 
More  grief  to  hide  than  hate  to  utter  love. 
Come.  Exeunt. 

95  bulk:  breast  102  ecstasy:  madness 

103  property:  nature  fordoes:  destroys  112  quoted:  observed 

113  wrack:  ruin         beshrew:  curse         jealousy:  suspicion,  mistrust 
115  cast  beyond:  be  over  subtle  1  ly  More  .  .  .  love;  cf.  n. 


40  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Scene  Two 
\_A  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  King,   Queen,  Rosencrantz,   Guildenstern, 
with  others. 

King.  Welcome,    dear    Rosencrantz    and    Guilden- 
stern ! 
Moreover  that  we  much  did  long  to  see  you, 
The  need  we  have  to  use  you  did  provoke 
Our  hasty  sending.     Something  have  you  heard 
Of  Hamlet's  transformation;  so  I  call  it,  5 

Since  nor  the  exterior  nor  the  inward  man 
Resembles  that  it  was.    What  it  should  be 
More  than  his  father's  death,  that  thus  hath  put  him  8 
So  much  from  the  understanding  of  himself, 

I  cannot  dream  of:  I  entreat  you  both, 

That,  being  of  so  young  days  brought  up  with  him, 

And  since  so  neighbour'd  to  his  youth  and  humour,     12 

That  you  vouchsafe  your  rest  here  in  our  court 

Some  little  time ;  so  by  your  companies 

To  draw  him  on  to  pleasures,  and  to  gather, 

So  much  as  from  occasion  you  may  glean,  16 

[Whether  aught  to  us  unknown  afflicts  him  thus,] 

That,  open'd,  lies  within  our  remedy. 

Queen.  Good  gentlemen,  he  hath  much  talk'd  of 
you; 
And  sure  I  am  two  men  there  are  not  living  20 

To  whom  he  more  adheres.     If  it  will  please  you 
To  show  us  so  much  gentry  and  good  will 
As  to  expend  your  time  with  us  awhile, 
For  the  supply  and  profit  of  our  hope,  24 

II  of  so  young  days:  from  such  early  youth 

12  neighbour'd  .  .  .  humour:  near  in  age  and  temperament 

13  vouchsafe  your  rest :  please  to  reside  18  open'd:  revealed 
22  gentry:  courtesy      24  supply  and  profit:  aid  and  successful  outcome 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  41 

Your  visitation  shall  receive  such  thanks 
As  fits  a  king's  remembrance. 

Ros.  Both  your  majesties 

Might,  by  the  sovereign  power  you  have  of  us, 
Put  your  dread  pleasures  more  into  command 
Than  to  entreaty. 

Guil.  But  we  both  obey,  29 

And  here  give  up  ourselves,  in  the  full  bent, 
To  lay  our  service  freely  at  your  feet, 
To  be  commanded.  32 

King.  Thanks,    Rosencrantz   and   gentle   Guilden- 

stern. 
Queen.  Thanks,   Guildenstern   and   gentle    Rosen- 
crantz ; 
And  I  beseech  you  instantly  to  visit 
My  too  much,  changed  son.     Go,  some  of  you,  36 

And  bring  these  gentlemen  where  Hamlet  is. 

Guil.  Heavens  make  our  presence,  and  our  practices 
Pleasant  and  helpful  to  him ! 

Queen.  Ay,  amen ! 

Exeunt   Rosencrantz,    Guildenstern,    [and   some 

Attendants.] 
Enter  Polonius. 

Pol.  The    ambassadors    from    Norway,    my    good 
lord,  40 

Are  joyfully  return'd. 

King.  Thou  still  hast  been  the  father  of  good  news. 

Pol.  Have  I,  my  lord?    Assure  you,  my  good  liege, 
I  hold  my  duty,  as  I  hold  my  soul,  44 

Both  to  my  God,  one  to  my  gracious  king; 
And  I  do  think — or  else  this  brain  of  mine 
Hunts  not  the  trail  of  policy  so  sure 

30  in  the  full  bent:  to  the  utmost  degree  of  mental  capacity 
47  policy:  conduct  of  public  affairs 


42  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

As  it  hath  us'd  to  do — that  I  have  found  48 

The  very  cause  of  Hamlet's  lunacy. 

King.  O !  speak  of  that ;  that  do  I  long  to  hear. 

Pol.  Give  first  admittance  to  the  ambassadors; 
My  news  shall  be  the  fruit  to  that  great  feast.         52 

King.  Thyself  do  grace  to  them,  and  bring  them 
in.  [Exit  Polonius.] 

He  tells  me,  my  sweet  queen,  that  he  hath  found 
The  head  and  source  of  all  your  son's  distemper. 

Queen.  I  doubt  it  is  no  other  but  the  main; 
His  father's  death,  and  our  o'erhasty  marriage. 

King.  Well,  we  shall  sift  him. 

Enter  Polonius,  Voltimand,  and  Cornelius. 

Welcome,  my  good  friends  ! 
Say,  Voltimand,  what  from  our  brother  Norway  ? 

Volt.  Most  fair  return  of  greetings,  and  desires.   60 
Upon  our  first,  he  sent  out  to  suppress 
His  nephew's  levies,  which  to  him  appear'd 
To  be  a  preparation  'gainst  the  Polack; 
But,  better  look'd  into,  he  truly  found  64 

It  was  against  your  highness:  whereat  griev'd, 
That  so  his  sickness,  age,  and  impotence 
Was  falsely  borne  in  hand,  sends  out  arrests 
On  Fortinbras;  which  he,  in  brief,  obeys,  68 

Receives  rebuke  from  Norway,  and,  in  fine, 
Makes  vow  before  his  uncle  never  more 
To  give  the  assay  of  arms  against  your  majesty. 
Whereon  old  Norway,  overcome  with  joy,  72 

Gives  him  three  thousand  crowns  in  annual  fee, 
And  his  commission  to  employ  those  soldiers, 
So  levied  as  before,  against  the  Polack; 

52  fruit:  dessert^ 

56  main:  the  chief  point  67  borne  in  hand:  deluded 

69  in  fine:  in  conclusion  71  assay:  trial  73  fee:  payment 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  43 

With  an  entreaty,  herein  further  shown,  76 

[Giving  a  paper. ,] 
That  it  might  please  you  to  give  quiet  pass 
Through  your  dominions  for  this  enterprise, 
On  such  regards  of  safety  and  allowance 
As  therein  are  set  down. 

King.  It  likes  us  well ;  80 

And  at  our  more  consider'd  time  we'll  read, 
Answer,  and  think  upon  this  business: 
Meantime  we  thank  you  for  your  well-took  labour. 
Go  to  your  rest ;  at  night  we'll  feast  together : 
Most  welcome  home. 

Exeunt  Ambassadors. 

Pol.  This  business  is  well  ended.       85 

My  liege,  and  madam,  to  expostulate 
What  majesty  should  be,  what  duty  is, 
Why  day  is  day,  night  night,  and  time  is  time, 
Were  nothing  but  to  waste  night,  day,  and  time. 
Therefore,  since  brevity  is  the  soul  of  wit, 
And  tediousness  the  limbs  and  outward  flourishes, 
I  will  be  brief.    Your  noble  son  is  mad:  92 

Mad  call  I  it;  for,  to  define  true  madness, 
What  is  't  but  to  be  nothing  else  but  mad? 
But  let  that  go. 

Queen.  More  matter,  with  less  art. 

Pol.  Madam,  I  swear  I  use  no  art  at  all.  96 

That  he  is  mad,  'tis  true ;  'tis  true  'tis  pity ; 
And  pity  'tis  'tis  true :  a  foolish  figure ; 
But  farewell  it,  for  I  will  use  no  art. 
Mad  let  us  grant  him,  then ;  and  now  remains 
That  we  find  out  the  cause  of  this  effect,  101 

Or  rather  say,  the  cause  of  this  defect, 

79  regards  .  .  .  allowance;  cf.  n.  81  consider'd:  fit  for  considering 

86  expostulate:  set  forth  one's  views    90  wit:  judgment,  understanding 
91  nourishes:  embelli s hments  98  figure:  figure  of  speech 


**  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

For  this  effect  defective  comes  by  cause; 

Thus  it  remains,  and  the  remainder  thus. 

Perpend.  105 

I  have  a  daughter,  have  while  she  is  mine; 

Who,  in  her  duty  and  obedience,  mark, 

Hath  given  me  this :  now,  gather,  and  surmise. 

The  Letter. 
"To  the  celestial,  and  my  soul's  idol,  the  most  beauti- 
fied Ophelia. — "  109 
That's  an  ill  phrase,  a  vile  phrase;  'beautified' 
is  a  vile  phrase ;  but  you  shall  hear.    Thus : 
"In  her  excellent  white  bosom,  these,  &c. — "  112 
Queen.  Came  this  from  Hamlet  to  her? 
Pol.  Good  madam,  stay  awhile;  I  will  be  faithful. 
"Doubt  thou  the  stars  are  fire; 

Doubt  that  the  sun  doth  move ;  116 

Doubt  truth  to  be  a  liar; 
But  never  doubt  I  love. 
O  dear  Ophelia!  I  am  ill  at  these  numbers: 
I  have  not  art  to  reckon  my  groans;  but  that  I 
love  thee  best,  O  most  best !  believe  it.    Adieu. 

Thine  evermore,  most  dear  lady,  whilst 
this  machine  is  to  him, 

Hamlet." 
This  in  obedience  hath  my  daughter  shown  me; 
And  more  above,  hath  his  solicitings, 
As  they  fell  out  by  time,  by  means,  and  place, 
All  given  to  mine  ear. 

King.  But  how  hath  she  128 

Receiv'd  his  love? 

105  Perpend:  consider  109  beautified:  beautiful,  or,  accomplished 

112  these:  i.e.,  these  lines 

119  ill  at:  unskilled  at  making         numbers:  verses 

120  reckon:  number  metrically ,  scan 

123  machine:  bodily  frame;  cf.  n.  126  more  above:  moreover 

127  fell  out:  occurred  means:  opportunities  of  access 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  *s 

Pol.  What  do  you  think  of  me  ? 

King.  As  of  a  man  faithful  and  honourable. 

Pol.  I  would  fain  prove  so.     But  what  might  you 
think,  131 

When  I  had  seen  this  hot  love  on  the  wing, — 
As  I  perceiv'd  it,  I  must  tell  you  that, 
Before  my  daughter  told  me, — what  might  you, 
Or  my  dear  majesty,  your  queen  here,  think, 
If  I  had  play'd  the  desk  or  table-book,  136 

Or  given  my  heart  a  winking,  mute  and  dumb, 
Or  look'd  upon  this  love  with  idle  sight; 
What  might  you  think  ?    No,  I  went  round  to  work, 
And  my  young  mistress  thus  I  did  bespeak :  140 

'Lord  Hamlet  is  a  prince,  out  of  thy  star; 
This  must  not  be :'  and  then  I  precepts  gave  her, 
That  she  should  lock  herself  from  his  resort, 
Admit  no  messengers,  receive  no  tokens.  144 

Which  done,  she  took  the  fruits  of  my  advice ; 
And  he,  repulsed, — a  short  tale  to  make, — 
Fell  into  a  sadness,  then  into  a  fast, 
Thence  to  a  watch,  thence  into  a  weakness,  148 

Thence  to  a  lightness ;  and  by  this  declension 
Into  the  madness  wherein  now  he  raves, 
And  all  we  wail  for. 

King.  Do  you  think  'tis  this? 

Queen.  It  may  be,  very  likely.  152 

Pol.  Hath  there  been  such  a  time, — I'd  fain  know 
that, — 
That  I  have  positively  said,  '  'Tis  so,' 
When  it  prov'd  otherwise? 

137  winking:  with  eyes  shut,  i.e.,  allowed  my  heart  to  connive 

139  round:  straightforwardly  140  bespeak:  address 

141  out  of  thy  star :  above  the  position  allotted  thee  by  fortune 

148  watch:  state  of  sleeplessness 

149  lightness:  lightheadedness        declension:  decline 


46  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

King.  Not  that  I  know. 

Pol.  Take  this  from  this,  if  this  be  otherwise: 

[Pointing  to  his  head  and  shoulder.] 
If  circumstances  lead  me,  I  will  find 
Where  truth  is  hid,  though  it  were  hid  indeed 
Within  the  centre. 

King.  How  may  we  try  it  further? 

Pol.  You   know    sometimes    he   walks    four   hours 
together  160 

Here  in  the  lobby. 

Queen.  So  he  does  indeed. 

Pol.  At  such  a  time  I'll  loose  my  daughter  to  him; 
Be  you  and  I  behind  an  arras  then ; 
Mark  the  encounter;  if  he  love  her  not,  164 

And  be  not  from  his  reason  fallen  thereon, 
Let  me  be  no  assistant  for  a  state, 
But  keep  a  farm,  and  carters. 

King.  We  will  try  it. 

Enter  Hamlet  reading  on  a  book. 
Queen.  But   look,   where    sadly    the    poor    wretch 
comes  reading.  168 

Pol.  Away !  I  do  beseech  you,  both  away. 
I'll  board  him  presently. 

Exeunt  King,  Queen,  [and  Attendants.] 
O !  give  me  leave. 
How  does  my  good  Lord  Hamlet? 

Ham.  Well,  God  a-mercy.  172 

Pol.  Do  you  know  me,  my  lord? 
Ham.  Excellent  well;  you  are  a  fishmonger. 
Pol.  Not  I,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Then    I   would  you  were  so   honest   a 
man.  177 

1S9  centre:  middle  point  of  the  earth  163  arras:  hanging  tapestry 

164  encounter:  manner  of  behavior 

170  board:  accost         presently:  immediately         174  fishmonger;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  47 

Pol.  Honest,  my  lord! 

Ham.  Ay,  sir;  to  be  honest,  as  this  world 
goes,  is  to  be  one  man  picked  out  of  ten  thou- 
sand. 181 

Pol.  That's  very  true,  my  lord. 

Ham.  For  if  the  sun  breed  maggots  in  a  dead 
dog,  being  a  good  kissing  carrion, — Have  you  a 
daughter?  185 

Pol.  I  have,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Let  her  not  walk  i'  the  sun:  conception 
is  a  blessing;  but  not  as  your  daughter  may  con- 
ceive.   Friend,  look  to  't.  189 

Pol.  [Aside.]  How  say  you  by  that?  Still 
harping  on  my  daughter:  yet  he  knew  me  not 
at  first;  he  said  I  was  a  fishmonger:  he  is  far 
gone,  far  gone:  and  truly  in  my  youth  I  suffered 
much  extremity  for  love;  very  near  this.  I'll 
speak  to  him  again.    What  do  you  read,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Words,  words,  words.  196 

Pol.  What  is  the  matter,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Between  who? 

Pol.  I  mean  the  matter  that  you  read,  my 
lord.  200 

Ham.  Slanders,  sir:  for  the  satirical  rogue 
says  here  that  old  men  have  grey  beards,  that 
their  faces  are  wrinkled,  their  eyes  purging  thick 
amber  and  plum-tree  gum,  and  that  they  have  a 
plentiful  lack  of  wit,  together  with  most  weak 
hams:  all  which,  sir,  though  I  most  powerfully 
and  potently  believe,  yet  I  hold  it  not  honesty  to 
have   it  thus   set  down;   for  you  yourself,   sir, 

184  good  kissing;  cf.  n.  187  conception;  cf.  n. 

197  matter:  substance  198  Between  who ?;  cf.  n. 

203  purging:  discharging 

204  amber  .  .  .  gum;  cf.  n.  207  honesty:  decency 


48  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

should  be  old  as  I  am,  if,  like  a  crab,  you  could 
go  backward.  210 

Pol.  [Aside. "\  Though  this  be  madness,  yet 
there  is  method  in  't.  Will  you  walk  out  of  the 
air,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Into  my  grave?  214 

Pol.  Indeed,  that  is  out  o'  the  air.  [Aside.] 
How  pregnant  sometimes  his  replies  are!  a 
happiness  that  often  madness  hits  on,  which 
reason  and  sanity  could  not  so  prosperously  be 
delivered  of.  I  will  leave  him,  and  suddenly 
contrive  the  means  of  meeting  between  him  and 
my  daughter.  My  honourable  lord,  I  will  most 
humbly  take  my  leave  of  you.  222 

Ham.  You  cannot,  sir,  take  from  me  any 
thing  that  I  will  more  willingly  part  withal; 
except  my  life,  except  my  life,  except  my  life. 

Pol.  Fare  you  well,  my  lord.  [Going.'] 

Ham.  These  tedious  old  fools ! 

Enter  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern. 

Pol.  You    go    to    seek    the    Lord    Hamlet;    there 

he  is.  228 

Ros.  [To  Polonius.]  God  save  you,  sir! 

[Exit  Polonius.] 

Guil.  Mine  honoured  lord! 

Ros.  My  most  dear  lord! 

Ham.  My  excellent  good  friends !  How  dost 
thou,  Guildenstern  ?  Ah,  Rosencrantz !  Good 
lads,  how  do  ye  both  ?  234 

Ros.  As  the  indifferent  children  of  the  earth. 

216  pregnant:  full  of  meaning  217  happiness:  appropriateness 

218  prosperously:  successfully 

224  withal:  with  23S  indifferent:  ordinary,  average 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  49 

Guil.  Happy  in  that  we  are  not  over  happy; 
on  Fortune's  cap  we  are  not  the  very  button. 

Ham.  Nor  the  soles  of  her  shoe?  238 

Ros.  Neither,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Then  you  live  about  her  waist,  or  in 
the  middle  of  her  favours  ?  241 

Guil.  Faith,  her  privates  we. 

Ham.  In  the  secret  parts  of  Fortune?  O! 
most  true ;  she  is  a  strumpet.    What  news  ?  244 

Ros.  None,  my  lord,  but  that  the  world's 
grown  honest. 

Ham.  Then  is  doomsday  near;  but  your  news 
is  not  true.  Let  me  question  more  in  particular: 
what  have  you,  my  good  friends,  deserved  at  the 
hands  of  Fortune,  that  she  sends  you  to  prison 
hither  ? 

Guil.  Prison,  my  lord!  252 

Ham.  Denmark's  a  prison. 

Ros.  Then  is  the  world  one. 

Ham.  A  goodly  one;  in  which  there  are 
many  confines,  wards,  and  dungeons,  Denmark 
being  one  o'  the  worst.  257 

Ros.  We  think  not  so,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Why,  then,  'tis  none  to  you ;  for  there  is 
nothing  either  good  or  bad,  but  thinking  makes 
it  so:  to  me  it  is  a  prison.  261 

Ros.  Why,  then  your  ambition  makes  it  one; 
'tis  too  narrow  for  your  mind. 

Ham.  O  God!  I  could  be  bounded  in  a  nut- 
shell, and  count  myself  a  king  of  infinite  space, 
were  it  not  that  I  have  bad  dreams. 

Guil.  Which    dreams,    indeed,    are    ambition, 

237  on  .  .  .  button;  cf.  n.  244  strumpet;  cf.  n. 


so  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

for  the  very  substance  of  the  ambitious  is  merely 
the  shadow  of  a  dream.  269 

Ham.  A  dream  itself  is  but  a  shadow. 

Ros.  Truly,  and  I  hold  ambition  of  so  airy 
and  light  a  quality  that  it  is  but  a  shadow's 
shadow.  273 

Ham.  Then  are  our  beggars  bodies,  and  our 
monarchs  and  outstretched  heroes  the  beggars' 
shadows.  Shall  we  to  the  court  ?  for,  by  my  fay, 
I  cannot  reason.  277 

Ros.    )    ,TT  ... 

r   -j    \   We  11  wait  upon  you. 

Ham.  No  such  matter;  I  will  not  sort  you 
with  the  rest  of  my  servants,  for,  to  speak  to  you 
like  an  honest  man,  I  am  most  dreadfully  at- 
tended. But,  in  the  beaten  way  of  friendship, 
what  make  you  at  Elsinore? 

Ros.  To  visit  you,  my  lord;  no  other  occa- 
sion. 285 

Ham.  Beggar  that  I  am,  I  am  even  poor  in 
thanks;  but  I  thank  you:  and  sure,  dear  friends, 
my  thanks  are  too  dear  a  halfpenny.  Were  you 
not  sent  for?  Is  it  your  own  inclining?  Is  it 
a  free  visitation?  Come,  come,  deal  justly  with 
me:  come,  come;  nay,  speak. 

Guil.  What  should  we  say,  my  lord?  292 

Ham.  Why  anything,  but  to  the  purpose. 
You  were  sent  for;  and  there  is  a  kind  of  con- 
fession in  your  looks  which  your  modesties  have 

272  quality:  nature  274  beggars  bodies ;  cf.  n. 

275  outstretched:  strutting  276  fay:  faith  277  reason :  argue 

278  wait  upon:  accompany  279  sort:  class 

282  beaten  way:  ordinary  course 
288  too  dear  a  halfpenny;  cf.  n.  290  free:  voluntary 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  51 

not  craft  enough  to  colour:  I  know  the  good 
king  and  queen  have  sent  for  you.  297 

Ros.  To  what  end,  my  lord? 

Ham.  That  you  must  teach  me.  But  let  me 
conjure  you,  by  the  rights  of  our  fellowship, 
by  the  consonancy  of  our  youth,  by  the  obli- 
gation of  our  ever-preserved  love,  and  by  what 
more  dear  a  better  proposer  could  charge  you 
withal,  be  even  and  direct  with  me,  whether 
you  were  sent  for  or  no !  305 

Ros.  [Aside  to  Guildenstern.']  What  say 
you? 

Ham.  Nay,  then,  I  have  an  eye  of  you.  If 
you  love  me,  hold  not  off.  309 

Guil.  My  lord,  we  were  sent  for. 

Ham.  I  will  tell  you  why;  so  shall  my  antici- 
pation prevent  your  discovery,  and  your  secrecy 
to  the  king  and  queen  moult  no  feather.  I  have 
of  late, — but  wherefore  I  know  not, — lost  all  my 
mirth,  forgone  all  custom  of  exercises;  and 
indeed  it  goes  so  heavily  with  my  disposition 
that  this  goodly  frame,  the  earth,  seems  to  me  a 
sterile  promontory;  this  most  excellent  canopy, 
the  air,  look  you,  this  brave  o'erhanging  firma- 
ment, this  majestical  roof  fretted  with  golden 
fire,  why,  it  appears  no  other  thing  to  me  but 
a  foul  and  pestilent  congregation  of  vapours. 
What  a  piece  of  work  is  a  man!  How  noble  in 
reason !    how   infinite   in   faculty !    in    form   and 

296  colour:  disguise  300  conjure:  adjure 

301  consonancy  of  youth:  being  of  the  same  age 

303  better  proposer:  more  skillful  exhorter 

304  even:  straightforward 

308  have  an  eye  of  you:  have  an  eye  upon  you 
312  prevent:  precede  discovery:  disclosure 
319  brave:  splendid  320  fretted:  adorned         324  faculty:  capacity 


52  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

moving,  how  express  and  admirable!  in  action 
how  like  an  angel!  in  apprehension  how  like  a 
god!  the  beauty  of  the  world!  the  paragon  of 
animals !  And  yet,  to  me,  what  is  this  quintes- 
sence of  dust?  man  delights  not  me;  no,  nor 
woman  neither,  though,  by  your  smiling,  you 
seem  to  say  so.  331 

Ros.  My  lord,  there  was  no  such  stuff  in  my 
thoughts. 

Ham.  Why  did  you  laugh  then,  when  I  said 
'man  delights  not  me?'  335 

Ros.  To  think,  my  lord,  if  you  delight  not 
in  man,  what  lenten  entertainment  the  players 
shall  receive  from  you:  we  coted  them  on  the 
way;  and  hither  are  they  coming,  to  offer  you 
service.  340 

Ham.  He  that  plays  the  king  shall  be  wel- 
come; his  majesty  shall  have  tribute  of  me;  the 
adventurous  knight  shall  use  his  foil  and  target; 
the  lover  shall  not  sigh  gratis;  the  humorous 
man  shall  end  his  part  in  peace;  the  clown  shall 
make  those  laugh  whose  lungs  are  tickle  o'  the 
sere;  and  the  lady  shall  say  her  mind  freely, 
or  the  blank  verse  shall  halt  for  't.  What  players 
are  they  ?  349 

Ros.  Even  those  you  were  wont  to  take  delight 
in,  the  tragedians  of  the  city. 

Ham.  How  chances  it  they  travel?  their 
residence,  both  in  reputation  and  profit,  was 
better  both  ways.  354 

325  express:  well-modelled  326  apprehension:  understanding 

328  quintessence ;  cf.  n.  332  stuff:  matter  337  lenten:  meagre 

338  coted:  passed  343  foil  and  target:  sword  and  shield 

344  humorous  man:  actor  of  whimsical  characters 

345  clown :  low  comedian 

346  tickle  o'  the  sere:  yield  easily  to  any  impulse;  cf.  n. 

348  halt:  limp  353  residence:  remaining  in  one  place 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  53 

Ros.  I  think  their  inhibition  comes  by  the 
means  of  the  late  innovation. 

Ham.  Do  they  hold  the  same  estimation  they 
did  when  I  was  in  the  city?  Are  they  so  followed? 

Ros.  No,  indeed  they  are  not.  359 

Ham.  How  comes  it  ?    Do  they  grow  rusty  ? 

Ros.  Nay,  their  endeavour  keeps  in  the  wonted 
pace:  but  there  is,  sir,  an  aery  of  children,  little 
eyases,  that  cry  out  on  the  top  of  question,  and 
are  most  tyrannically  clapped  for 't :  these  are 
now  the  fashion,  and  so  berattle  the  common 
stages, — so  they  call  them, — that  many  wearing 
rapiers  are  afraid  of  goose-quills,  and  dare  scarce 
come  thither.  368 

Ham.  What !  are  they  children  ?  who  main- 
tains 'em?  how  are  they  escoted?  Will  they 
pursue  the  quality  no  longer  than  they  can 
sing?  will  they  not  say  afterwards,  if  they  should 
grow  themselves  to  common  players, — as  it  is 
most  like,  if  their  means  are  no  better, — their 
writers  do  them  wrong,  to  make  them  exclaim 
against  their  own  succession?  376 

Ros.  Faith,  there  has  been  much  to-do  on 
both  sides:  and  the  nation  holds  it  no  sin  to 
tarre  them  to  controversy :  there  was,  for  a  while, 
no  money  bid  for  argument,  unless  the  poet  and 
the  player  went  to  cuffs  in  the  question.  381 

355  inhibition :  formal  prohibition  356  innovation;  cf.  n. 

357  estimation:  reputation  362  aery:  nest;  cf.  n. 

363  eyases:  young  hawk s  cry  .  .  .  question :  recite  at  the  highest 
pitch  of  the  voice ;  cf.  n. 

364  tyrannically:  outrageously 

365  berattle:  fill  with  din        common  stages:  public  theatres 
367  afraid  of  goose-quills:  afraid  of  being  satirized 

370  escoted:  maintained  371  quality:  profession 

373  common  players:  prof essional  players 

376  succession:  future,  or,  inheritance 

379  tarre:  incite    380  argument:  subject-matter,  plot     381  cuffs:  blows 


64  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  Is  it  possible? 

Guil.  O !  there  has  been  much  throwing  about 
of  brains.  384 

Ham.  Do  the  boys  carry  it  away? 

Ros.  Ay,  that  they  do,  my  lord;  Hercules  and 
his  load  too.  387 

Ham.  It  is  not  strange;  for  my  uncle  is 
King  of  Denmark,  and  those  that  would  make 
mows  at  him  while  my  father  lived,  give  twenty, 
forty,  fifty,  a  hundred  ducats  a-piece  for  his 
picture  in  little.  'Sblood,  there  is  something  in 
this  more  than  natural,  if  philosophy  could  find 
it  out.  Flourish  for  the  Players. 

Guil.  There  are  the  players.  395 

Ham.  Gentlemen,  you  are  welcome  to  Elsi- 
nore.  Your  hands,  come  then ;  the  appurtenance 
of  welcome  is  fashion  and  ceremony:  let  me 
comply  with  you  in  this  garb,  lest  my  extent  to 
the  players — which,  I  tell  you,  must  show  fairly 
outward — should  more  appear  like  entertain- 
ment than  yours.  You  are  welcome;  but  my 
uncle-father  and  aunt-mother  are  deceived. 

Guil.  In  what,  my  dear  lord  ?  404 

Ham.  I  am  but  mad  north-north-west:  when 
the  wind  is  southerly  I  know  a  hawk  from  a 
handsaw. 

Enter  Polonius. 

Pol.  Well  be  with  you,  gentlemen  !  408 

385  carry  it  away:  carry  the  day  386  Hercules  and  his  load;  cf.n. 

390  mows:  grimaces  391   ducats:  gold  or  silver  coins 

392  in  little:  in  miniature        'Sblood:  God's  blood 

394  Flourish:  a  trumpet  call 

397  appurtenance:  proper  accompaniment 

399  comply:  observe  the  formalities  of  courtesy  garb:  manner 

extent:  showing  of  kindness 
407  handsaw:  saw  managed  with  one  hand;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  .    55 

Ham.  Hark  you,  Guildenstern ;  and  you  too; 
at  each  ear  a  hearer:  that  great  haby  you  see 
there  is  not  yet  out  of  his  swaddling-clouts.         411 

Ros.  Happily  he's  the  second  time  come  to 
them;  for  they  say  an  old  man  is  twice  a  child. 

Ham.  I  will  prophesy  he  comes  to  tell  me 
of  the  players;  mark  it.  You  say  right,  sir;  o' 
Monday  morning;  'twas  so  indeed.  416 

Pol.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you. 

Ham.  My  lord,  I  have  news  to  tell  you.  When 
Roscius  was  an  actor  in  Rome, — 

Pol.  The  actors  are  come  hither,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Buzz,  buzz !  421 

Pol.  Upon  my  honour, — 

Ham.  Then  came  each  actor  on  his  ass, — 

Pol.  The  best  actors  in  the  world,  either  for 
tragedy,  comedy,  history,  pastoral,  pastoral- 
comical,  historical-pastoral,  tragical-historical, 
tragical-comical-historical-pastoral,  scene  indi- 
vidable,  or  poem  unlimited:  Seneca  cannot  be 
too  heavy,  nor  Plautus  too  light.  For  the  law 
of  writ  and  the  liberty,  these  are  the  only  men. 

Ham.  O  Jephthah,  judge  of  Israel,  what  a 
treasure  hadst  thou !  432 

Pol.  What  a  treasure  had  he,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Why 

"One  fair  daughter  and  no  more, 
The  which  he  loved  passing  well."  436 

Pol.  [Aside.]    Still  on  my  daughter. 

411  swaddling-clouts:    bandages    in    which    newborn    children    were 

wrapped 
419  Roscius;  cf.  n.  421  Buzz,  buzz :  an  exclamation  of  contempt 

427  scene  individable;  cf.  n. 

428  poem  unlimited;  cf.  n.  Seneca;  cf.  n. 

429  Plautus;  cf.  n.  law  of  writ  and  the  liberty;  cf.  n. 

431  Jephthah:  title  of  an  old  ballad;  cf.  n.  436  passing:  surpassing 


56  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  Am  I  not  i'  the  right,  old  Jephthah  ? 

Pol.  If  you  call  me  Jephthah,  my  lord,  I  have 
a  daughter  that  I  love  passing  well.  440 

Ham.  Nay,  that  follows  not. 

Pol.  What  follows,  then,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Why, 

"As  by  lot,  God  wot."  444 

And  then,  you  know, 

"It  came  to  pass,  as  most  like  it  was. — " 
The  first  row  of  the  pious  chanson  will  show  you 
more;  for  look  where  my  abridgments  come. 

Enter  four  or  five  Players. 

You  are  welcome,  masters;  welcome,  all.  I  am 
glad  to  see  thee  well:  welcome,  good  friends. 
O,  my  old  friend!  Thy  face  is  valanced  since  I 
saw  thee  last:  comest  thou  to  beard  me  in 
Denmark  ?  What !  my  young  lady  and  mistress ! 
By  'r  lady,  your  ladyship  is  nearer  heaven  than 
when  I  saw  you  last,  by  the  altitude  of  a  chopine. 
Pray  God,  your  voice,  like  a  piece  of  uncurrent 
gold,  be  not  cracked  within  the  ring.  Masters, 
you  are  welcome.  We'll  e'en  to 't  like  French 
falconers,  fly  at  anything  we  see:  we'll  have  a 
speech  straight.  Come,  give  us  a  taste  of  your 
quality;  come,  a  passionate  speech.  461 

First  Play.  What  speech,  my  lord? 

Ham.  I  heard  thee  speak  me  a  speech  once, 
but  it  was  never  acted;  or,  if  it  was,  not  above 

446  'as  most  like  it  was':  as  was  most  probable 

447  row:  stanza,  verse,  column  of  print  (?)         chanson:  song 

448  abridgments:  means  of  whiling  away  the  time 
451  valanced:  'curtained,'  with  a  beard 

454  By  'r  lady:  By  our  Lady  (The  Virgin) 

455  chopine:  a  Venetian  raised  shoe  often  worn  by  actors 

456  uncurrent:  not  passable  as  lawful  coinage 

457  cracked  .   .   .  ring;  cf.  n.  460  straight:  immediately 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  57 

once;  for  the  play,  I  remember,  pleased  not  the 
million ;  'twas  caviare  to  the  general :  but  it  was — 
as  I  received  it,  and  others,  whose  judgments  in 
such  matters  cried  in  the  top  of  mine — an  ex- 
cellent play,  well  digested  in  the  scenes,  set  down 
with  as  much  modesty  as  cunning.  I  remember 
one  said  there  were  no  sallets  in  the  lines  to 
make  the  matter  savoury,  nor  no  matter  in  the 
phrase  that  might  indict  the  author  of  affecta- 
tion; but  called  it  an  honest  method,  [as  whole- 
some as  sweet,  and  by  very  much  more  handsome 
than  fine.]  One  speech  in  it  I  chiefly  loved;  'twas 
./Eneas'  tale  to  Dido;  and  thereabout  of  it  espe- 
cially, where  he  speaks  of  Priam's  slaughter. 
If  it  live  in  your  memory,  begin  at  this  line: 
let  me  see,  let  me  see: —  480 

"The  rugged  Pyrrhus,  like  the  Hyrcanian  beast, — " 

'Tis  not  so,  it  begins  with  Pyrrhus: — 
"The  rugged  Pyrrhus,  he,  whose  sable  arms, 
Black  as  his  purpose,  did  the  night  resemble 
When  he  lay  couched  in  the  ominous  horse,  485 

Hath  now  this  dread  and  black  complexion  smear'd 
With  heraldry  more  dismal ;  head  to  foot 
Now  is  he  total  gules ;  horridly  trick'd  488 

With  blood  of  fathers,  mothers,  daughters,  sons, 
Bak'd  and  impasted  with  the  parching  streets, 
That  lend  a  tyrannous  and  damned  light 
To  their  vile  murders :  roasted  in  wrath  and  fire,     492 

466  caviare  .  .  .  general ;  cf.  n. 

468  cried  in  the  top  of:  spoke  with  a  louder  voice  of  authority  than 

469  digested:  arranged;  cf.  n. 

470  modesty:  without  exaggeration,  moderation  cunning:  skill  in 
technique 

471  sallets  .  .  .  savoury;  cf.  n.  473  indict:  convict 
475  handsome;  cf.  n._  476  fine:  elaborately  fashioned 
477  Eneas'  tale  to  Dido;  cf.  n.  481  Hyrcanian;  cf  n. 
485  ominous  horse;  cf.  n.  488  gules:  re d  trick'd :  spotted 
490  impasted:  made  into  a  paste 


58  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

And  thus  o'er-sized  with  coagulate  gore, 
With  eyes  like  carbuncles,  the  hellish  Pyrrhus 
Old  grandsire  Priam  seeks." 

[So  proceed  you.]  496 

Pol.  'Fore  God,  my  lord,  well  spoken;  with 

good  accent  and  good  discretion. 

First  Play.  "Anon,  he  finds  him 

Striking  too  short  at  Greeks;  his  antique  sword, 
Rebellious  to  his  arm,  lies  where  it  falls,  500 

Repugnant  to  command.     Unequal  match'd, 
Pyrrhus  at  Priam  drives;  in  rage  strikes  wide; 
But  with  the  whiff  and  wind  of  his  fell  sword 
The  unnerved  father  falls.    Then  senseless  Ilium,    504 
Seeming  to  feel  this  blow,  with  flaming  top 
Stoops  to  his  base,  and  with  a  hideous  crash 
Takes  prisoner  Pyrrhus'  ear :  for  lo !  his  sword, 
Which  was  declining  on  the  milky  head  508 

Of  reverend  Priam,  seem'd  i'  the  air  to  stick: 
So,  as  a  painted  tyrant,  Pyrrhus  stood, 
And  like  a  neutral  to  his  will  and  matter, 
Did  nothing.  512 

But,  as  we  often  see,  against  some  storm, 
A  silence  in  the  heavens,  the  rack  stand  still, 
The  bold  winds  speechless  and  the  orb  below 
As  hush  as  death,  anon  the  dreadful  thunder  516 

Doth  rend  the  region ;  so,  after  Pyrrhus'  pause, 
Aroused  vengeance  sets  him  new  a-work; 
And  never  did  the  Cyclops'  hammers  fall 
On  Mars's  armour,  forg'd  for  proof  eterne,  520 

493  o'er-sized:  covered  with  something  like  size,  a  kind  of  glue 

501  Repugnant  to:  resisting  503  fell:  cruel 

504  senseless:  without  physical  sensation 

510  painted  tyrant:  picture  of  a  tyrant  in  a  tapestry 

511  a  neutral:  one  indifferent         matter:  task 

513  against:  just  before  514  rack:  mass  of  cloud 

516  anon:  presently  517  region:  the  air 

520  proof  eterne:  eternal  impenetrability 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  69 

With  less  remorse  than  Pyrrhus'  bleeding  sword 

Now  falls  on  Priam. 

Out,  out,  thou  strumpet,  Fortune !    All  you  gods, 

In  general  synod,  take  away  her  power;  524 

Break  all  the  spokes  and  fellies  from  her  wheel, 

And  bowl  the  round  nave  down  the  hill  of  heaven, 

As  low  as  to  the  fiends !" 

Pol.  This  is  too  long.  528 

Ham.  It  shall  to  the  barber's,  with  your 
beard.  Prithee,  say  on:  he's  for  a  jig  or  a 
tale  of  bawdry,  or  he  sleeps.  Say  on;  come  to 
Hecuba.  532 

First  Play.  "But  who,  O  !  who  had  seen  the  mobled 

queen — " 

Ham.  'The  mobled  queen?' — 

Pol.  That's  good;  'mobled  queen'  is  good. 
First  Play.  "Run  barefoot  up  and  down,  threat'ning 

the  flames  536 

With  bisson  rheum ;  a  clout  upon  that  head 
Where  late  the  diadem  stood ;  and,  for  a  robe, 
About  her  lank  and  all  o'er-teemed  loins, 
A  blanket,  in  the  alarm  of  fear  caught  up ;  540 

Who  this  had  seen,  with  tongue  in  venom  steep'd, 
'Gainst    Fortune's    state    would    treason    have    pro- 

nounc'd : 
But  if  the  gods  themselves  did  see  her  then, 
When  she  saw  Pyrrhus  make  malicious  sport 
In  mincing  with  his  sword  her  husband's  limbs,        545 

524  synod:  assembly 

525  fellies:  the  pieces  of  wood  of  which  the  circumference  is  made 

526  nave:  hub 

530  jig:   lively  dance,   often  accompanied  by  coarse  comic  verses  or 
dialogue 

531  bawdry:  indecency  532  Hecuba;  c/.n. 
533  mobled:  muffled;  cf.  n. 

537  bisson  rheum:  blinding  tears  (?)  clout:  piece  of  cloth 

539  o'er-teemed:  exhausted  by  excessive  child-bearing 
542  pronounc'd:  proclaimed 


60  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

The  instant  burst  of  clamour  that  she  made — 

Unless  things  mortal  move  them  not  at  all — 

Would    have     made    milch     the     burning     eyes     of 

heaven,  548 

And  passion  in  the  gods." 

Pol.  Look !  wh'er  he  has  not  turned  his  colour 
and  has  tears  in  's  eyes.     Prithee,  no  more.  551 

Ham.  'Tis  well;  I'll  have  thee  speak  out  the 
rest  soon.  Good  my  lord,  will  you  see  the  players 
well  bestowed?  Do  you  hear,  let  them  be  well 
used ;  for  they  are  the  abstracts  and  brief  chroni- 
cles of  the  time:  after  your  death  you  were  bet- 
ter have  a  bad  epitaph  than  their  ill  report  while 
you  live. 

Pol.  My  lord,  I  will  use  them  according  to 
their  desert.  560 

Ham.  God's  bodikins,  man,  much  better;  use 
every  man  after  his  desert,  and  who  should  'scape 
whipping?  Use  them  after  your  own  honour  and 
dignity:  the  less  they  deserve,  the  more  merit  is 
in  your  bounty.     Take  them  in.  565 

Pol.  Come,  sirs. 

Ham.  Follow  him,  friends:  we'll  hear  a  play 
to-morrow.  Exit  Polonius,  [with  all  the  Players 
but  the  First.']  Dost  thou  hear  me,  old  friend; 
can  you  play  the  Murder  of  Gonzago?  570 

First  Play.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Ham.  We'll  ha  't  to-morrow  night.  You  could, 
for  a  need,  study  a  speech  of  some  dozen  or  six- 
teen lines,  which  I  would  set  down  and  insert 
in  't,  could  you  not  ? 

548  made  milch:  made  weep  550  turned  .  .  .  colour:  grown  pale 

554  bestowed:  lodged  555  abstracts:  summary  accounts 

561  God's  bodikins;  cf.  n. 
573  for  a  need:  in  case  of  necessity  dozen  or  sixteen  lines;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  II.  ii  61 

First  Play.  Ay,  my  lord.  576 

Ham.  Very  well.  Follow  that  lord;  and  look 
you  mock  him  not.  [Exit  First  Player.  To  Ro- 
sencrantz  and  Guildenstern.']  My  good  friends, 
I'll  leave  you  till  night;  you  are  welcome 
to  Elsinore.  581 

Ros.  Good  my  lord! 

Exeunt   [Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern.'] 
Ham.  Ay,  so,  God  be  wi'  ye !     Now  I  am  alone. 
O  !  what  a  rogue  and  peasant  slave  am  1 :  584 

Is  it  not  monstrous  that  this  player  here, 
But  in  a  fiction,  in  a  dream  of  passion, 
Could  force  his  soul  so  to  his  own  conceit  587 

That  from  her  working  all  his  visage  wann'd, 
Tears  in  his  eyes,  distraction  in  's  aspect, 
A  broken  voice,  and  his  whole  function  suiting 
With  forms  to  his  conceit  ?  and  all  for  nothing ! 
For  Hecuba!  592 

What's  Hecuba  to  him  or  he  to  Hecuba 
That  he  should  weep  for  her?    What  would  he  do 
Had  he  the  motive  and  the  cue  for  passion 
That    I    have?      He   would    drown   the    stage    with 
tears,  596 

And  cleave  the  general  ear  with  horrid  speech, 
Make  mad  the  guilty  and  appal  the  free, 
Confound  the  ignorant,  and  amaze  indeed 
The  very  faculties  of  eyes  and  ears.  600 

Yet  I, 

A  dull  and  muddy-mettled  rascal,  peak, 
Like  John-a-dreams,  unpregnant  of  my  cause, 

584  peasant:  base  587  conceit:  imagination 

590  function:  action  of  the  body         suiting:  fitting 

591  forms:  bodily  expression       595  cue;  cf.  n.        597  horrid:  horrible 
598  free:  free  from  offence,  guiltless 

602  muddy-mettled :  dull-spirited         peak:  mope  about 

603  John-a-dreams:  dreamy  fellow;  cf.  n.  unpregnant  of :  not 
quickened  by 


62  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

And  can  say  nothing ;  no,  not  for  a  king,  604 

Upon  whose  property  and  most  dear  life 
A  damn'd  defeat  was  made.    Am  I  a  coward? 
Who  calls  me  villain?  breaks  my  pate  across? 
Plucks  off  my  beard  and  blows  it  in  my  face  ?  608 

Tweaks  me  by  the  nose  ?  gives  me  the  lie  i'  the  throat, 
As  deep  as  to  the  lungs  ?    Who  does  me  this  ? 
Ha! 

'Swounds,  I  should  take  it,  for  it  cannot  be  612 

But  I  am  pigeon-liver'd,  and  lack  gall 
To  make  oppression  bitter,  or  ere  this 
I  should  have  fatted  all  the  region  kites 
With  this  slave's  offal.     Bloody,  bawdy  villain! 
Remorseless,    treacherous,    lecherous,    kindless    vil- 
lain !  617 
O !  vengeance ! 

Why,  what  an  ass  am  I !    This  is  most  brave 
That  I,  the  son  of  a  dear  [father]  murder'd,  620 

Prompted  to  my  revenge  by  heaven  and  hell, 
Must,  like  a  whore,  unpack  my  heart  with  words, 
And  fall  a-cursing,  like  a  very  drab, 
A  scullion!  624 

Fie  upon  't !  f  oh !    About,  my  brain !     I  have  heard, 
That  guilty  creatures  sitting  at  a  play 
Have  by  the  very  cunning  of  the  scene 
Been  struck  so  to  the  soul  that  presently  628 

They  have  proclaim' d  their  malefactions ; 
For  murder,  though  it  have  no  tongue,  will  speak 
With  most  miraculous  organ.     I'll  have  these  players 

6C5  property;  cf.  n.  606  defeat:  destruction 

612  Swounds:  God's  wounds 

613  But:  but  that         pigeon-liver'd:  meek;  cf.  n. 

614  make  oppression  bitter:  make  me  feel  the  bitterness  of  oppression 

615  region  kites:  kites  of  the  air  617  kindless:  unnatural 
623  drab:  street  woman  624  scullion:  kitchen  servant 
625  About,   my   brain:    bestir  yourself,   my   brain,   or,   my   brain,   on 

another  tack 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  i  63 

Play  something  like  the  murder  of  my  father        632 

Before  mine  uncle ;  I'll  observe  his  looks ; 

I'll  tent  him  to  the  quick :  if  he  but  blench 

I  know  my  course.    The  spirit  that  I  have  seen 

May  be  the  devil :  and  the  devil  hath  power  636 

To  assume  a  pleasing  shape;  yea,  and  perhaps 

Out  of  my  weakness  and  my  melancholy — 

As  he  is  very  potent  with  such  spirits — 

Abuses  me  to  damn  me.    I'll  have  grounds  640 

More  relative  than  this :  the  play's  the  thing 

Wherein  I'll  catch  the  conscience  of  the  king.      Exit. 

ACT  THIRD 

Scene  One 

[A  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Polonius,  Ophelia,  Rosencrantz, 
Guildenstern,  and  Lords. 

King.  And  can  you,  by  no  drift  of  circumstance, 
Get  from  him  why  he  puts  on  this  confusion, 
Grating  so  harshly  all  his  days  of  quiet 
With  turbulent  and  dangerous  lunacy?  4 

Ros.  He  does  confess  he  feels  himself  distracted; 
But  from  what  cause  he  will  by  no  means  speak. 

Guil.  Nor  do  we  find  him  forward  to  be  sounded, 
But,  with  a  crafty  madness,  keeps  aloof,  8 

When  we  would  bring  him  on  to  some  confession 
Of  his  true  state. 

Queen.  Did  he  receive  you  well? 

634  tent:  probe         blench :  start  aside  639  spirits:  mental  moods 

641  relative:  relevant,  to  the  purpose 

1  drift  of  circumstance:  roundabout  method 

2  confusion:  mental  agitation 

3  Grating:  harassing  7  forward:  ready,  disposed 


64  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ros.  Most  like  a  gentleman. 

Guil.  But  with  much  forcing  of  his  disposition.      12 

Ros.  Niggard  of  question,  but  of  our  demands 
Most  free  in  his  reply. 

Queen.  Did  you  assay  him 

To  any  pastime? 

Ros.  Madam,  it  so  fell  out  that  certain  players       16 
We  o'er-raught  on  the  way;  of  these  we  told  him, 
And  there  did  seem  in  him  a  kind  of  joy 
To  hear  of  it:  they  are  about  the  court, 
And,  as  I  think,  they  have  already  order  20 

This  night  to  play  before  him. 

Pol.  'Tis  most  true; 

And  he  beseech'd  me  to  entreat  your  majesties 
To  hear  and  see  the  matter. 

King.  With  all  my  heart ;  and  it  doth  much  content 
me  24 

To  hear  him  so  inclin'd. 
Good  gentlemen,  give  him  a  further  edge, 
And  drive  his  purpose  on  to  these  delights. 

Ros.  We  shall,  my  lord. 

Exeunt  [Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern.] 

King.  Sweet  Gertrude,  leave  us  too; 

For  we  have  closely  sent  for  Hamlet  hither,  29 

That  he,  as  'twere  by  accident,  may  here 
Affront  Ophelia. 

Her  father  and  myself,  lawful  espials,  32 

Will  so  bestow  ourselves,  \hat,  seeing,  unseen, 
We  may  of  their  encounter  frankly  judge, 
And  gather  by  him,  as  he  is  behav'd, 

12  forcing  of  his  disposition:  with  apparent  unwillingness 

13  niggard  of  question:  sparing  of  conversation 

14  assay:  challenge  17  o'er-raught:  overtook 
26  edge:  incitement  29  closely:  privately 
31  Affront:  meet                  32  espials:  spies  34  frankly:  freely 


Prince  of  Denmark ,  III.  i  65 

If  't  be  the  affliction  of  his  love  or  no  36 

That  thus  he  suffers  for. 

Queen.  I  shall  obey  you. 

And  for  your  part,  Ophelia,  I  do  wish 
That  your  good  beauties  be  the  happy  cause 
Of  Hamlet's  wildness ;  so  shall  I  hope  your  virtues    40 
Will  bring  him  to  his  wonted  way  again, 
To  both  your  honours. 

Oph.  Madam,  I  wish  it  may. 

[Exit  Queen.'] 

Pol.  Ophelia,  walk  you  here.     Gracious,  so  please 
you, 
We  will  bestow  ourselves.     [To  Ophelia.']     Read  on 
this  book;  44 

That  show  of  such  an  exercise  may  colour 
Your  loneliness.     We  are  oft  to  blame  in  this, 
'Tis  too  much  prov'd,  that  with  devotion's  visage 
And  pious  action  we  do  sugar  o'er  48 

The  devil  himself. 

King.  [Aside.]   O!  'tis  too  true; 
How  smart  a  lash  that  speech  doth  give  my   con- 
science ! 
The  harlot's  cheek,  beautied  with  plastering  art, 
Is  not  more  ugly  to  the  thing  that  helps  it  52 

Than  is  my  deed  to  my  most  painted  word: 
O  heavy  burden ! 

Pol.  I  hear  him  coming;  let's  withdraw,  my  lord. 
Exeunt  [King  and  Polonius.] 

Enter  Hamlet. 

40  wildness:  madness 

43  Gracious:  a  courteous  epithet,  here  used  without  a  substantive 

45  exercise:  employment 

47  too  much  prov'd:  found  by  too  frequent  experience 

48  pious  action:  i.e.,  implies  that  Ophelia's  book  was  a  book  of  devo- 
tions 

52  to:  in  comparison  with 


66  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  To  be,  or  not  to  be :  that  is  the  question :      56 
Whether  'tis  nobler  in  the  mind  to  suffer 
The  slings  and  arrows  of  outrageous  fortune, 
Or  to  take  arms  against  a  sea  of  troubles, 
And  by  opposing  end  them  ?    To  die :  to  sleep ; 
No  more;  and,  by  a  sleep  to  say  we  end  61 

The  heart-ache  and  the  thousand  natural  shocks 
That  flesh  is  heir  to,  'tis  a  consummation 
Devoutly  to  be  wish'd.    To  die,  to  sleep ;  64 

To  sleep:  perchance  to  dream:  ay,  there's  the  rub; 
For  in  that  sleep  of  death  what  dreams  may  come 
When  we  have  shuffled  off  this  mortal  coil, 
Must  give  us  pause.     There's  the  respect  68 

That  makes  calamity  of  so  long  life; 
For  who  would  bear  the  whips  and  scorns  of  time, 
The  oppressor's  wrong,  the  proud  man's  contumely, 
The  pangs  of  dispriz'd  love,  the  law's  delay,  72 

The  insolence  of  office,  and  the  spurns 
That  patient  merit  of  the  unworthy  takes, 
When  he  himself  might  his  quietus  make 
With  a  bare  bodkin  ?  who  would  fardels  bear,  76 

To  grunt  and  sweat  under  a  weary  life, 
But  that  the  dread  of  something  after  death, 
The  undiscover'd  country  from  whose  bourn 
No  traveller  returns,  puzzles  the  will,  80 

And  <mkes  us  rather  bear  those  ills  we  have 
Than  fly  to  others  that  we  know  not  of? 
Tkas  conscience  does  make  cowards  of  us  all; 

59  take  .  .  .  troubles;  cf.  n.  65  rub:  obstacle 

67  shuffled  off:  sloug  hed  off         mortal  coil:  turmoil  of  mortal  life 

68  give  us  pause :  cause  us  to  hesitate  respect :  consideration 

72  dispriz'd:  held  in  contempt 

73  office:  people  holding  official  position         spurns:  insults 

75  quietus:  release  from  life 

76  bare :  unsheathed,  or,  small         bodkin:  dagger         fardels:  burdens 
79  bourn:  boundary 

83  conscience:  sense  of  right  and  wrong  (?),  or,   thought  of  conse- 
quences 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  i  67 

And  thus  the  native  hue  of  resolution  84 

Is  sicklied  o'er  with  the  pale  cast  of  thought, 
And  enterprises  of  great  pith  and  moment 

With  this  regard  their  currents  turn  awry, 

And  lose  the  name  of  action.  Hsoft  you  now !  ss 

yl'he  fair  Ophelia !    Nymph,  in  thy  orisons 
all  my  sins  remember'd. 
ih.  Good  my  lord, 

How  does  your  honour  for  this  many  a  day  ? 
Ham.  I  humbly  thank  you;  well,  well,  well. 
Oph.  My  lord,  I  have  remembrances  of  yours, 
That  I  have  longed  long  to  re-deliver; 
I  pray  you,  now  receive  them. 

Ham.  No,  not  I ; 

I  never  gave  you  aught.  96 

Oph.  My  honour'd  lord,  you  know  right  well  you 
did; 
And,  with  them,  words  of  so  sweet  breath  compos'd 
As  made  the  things  more  rich:  their  perfume  lost, 
Take  these  again ;  for  to  the  noble  mind  100 

Rich  gifts  wax  poor  when  givers  prove  unkind. 
There,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Ha,  ha !  are  you  honest  ? 
Oph.  My  lord !  104 

Ham.  Are  you  fair? 
Oph.  What  means  your  lordship? 
Ham.  That  if  you  be  honest  and  fair,  your 
honesty    should    admit    no    discourse    to    your 
beauty.  109 

84  native  hue :  natural  color,  or,  complexion 

85  sicklied  o'er:  covered  with  a  sickly  tint  cast:  tinge 

86  pith  and  moment:  gravity  and  importance ;  cf.  I.  iv.  22 

87  regard:  consideration         currents:  courses  89  orisons:  prayers 
91  for  this  many  a  day :  all  this  long  time  103  honest:  chaste 


68  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Oph.  Could  beauty,  my  lord,  have  better  com- 
merce than  with  honesty? 

Ham.  Ay,  truly;  for  the  power  of  beauty  will 
sooner  transform  honesty  from  what  it  is  to  a 
bawd  than  the  force  of  honesty  can  translate 
beauty  into  his  likeness:  this  was  sometime  a 
paradox,  but  now  the  time  gives  it  proof.  I  did 
love  you  once.  117 

Oph.  Indeed,  my  lord,  you  made  me  believe 
so. 

Ham.  You  should  not  have  believed  me;  for 
virtue  cannot  so  inoculate  our  old  stock  but  we 
shall  relish  of  it:  I  loved  you  not. 

Oph.  I  was  the  more  deceived.  123 

Ham.  Get  thee  to  a  nunnery:  why  wouldst 
thou  be  a  breeder  of  sinners?  I  am  myself 
indifferent  honest;  but  yet  I  could  accuse  me  of 
such  things  that  it  were  better  my  mother  had 
not  borne  me.  I  am  very  proud,  revengeful, 
ambitious;  with  more  offences  at  my  beck  than 
I  have  thoughts  to  put  them  in,  imagination 
to  give  them  shape,  or  time  to  act  them  in. 
What  should  such  fellows  as  I  do  crawling 
between  heaven  and  earth?  We  are  arrant 
knaves,  all;  believe  none  of  us.  Go  thy  ways  to 
a  nunnery.    Where's  your  father?  135 

Oph.  At  home,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Let  the  doors  be  shut  upon  him,  that 
he  may  play  the  fool  nowhere  but  in 's  own 
house.     Farewell. 

Oph.  O  !  help  him,  you  sweet  heavens  !  140 

Ham.  If  thou  dost  marry,  I'll  give  thee  this 

110  commerce:  intercourse  116  time:  present  age 

121  inoculate:  engraft  122  relish:  taste 

126  indifferent:  tolerably  129  beck:  command 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  i  69 

plague  for  thy  dowry:  be  thou  as  chaste  as  ice, 
as  pure  as  snow,  thou  shalt  not  escape  calumny. 
Get  thee  to  a  nunnery,  go ;  farewell.  Or,  if  thou 
wilt  needs  marry,  marry  a  fool;  for  wise  men 
know  well  enough  what  monsters  you  make  of 
them.  To  a  nunnery,  go;  and  quickly  too. 
Farewell.  148 

Op h.  O  heavenly  powers,  restore  him! 
Ham.  I  have  heard  of  your  paintings  too, 
well  enough;  God  hath  given  you  one  face,  and 
you  make  yourselves  another:  you  jig,  you 
amble,  and  you  lisp,  and  nickname  God's  crea- 
tures, and  make  your  wantonness  your  ignorance. 
Go  to,  I'll  no  more  on  't ;  it  hath  made  me  mad. 
I  say,  we  will  have  no  more  marriages;  those 
that  are  married  already,  all  but  one,  shall  live; 
the  rest  shall  keep  as  they  are.    To  a  nunnery,  go. 

Exit  Hamlet. 
Oph.  O !  what  a  noble  mind  is  here  o'erthrown: 
The     courtier's,     soldier's,     scholar's,     eye,     tongue, 
sword ;  160 

The  expectancy  and  rose  of  the  fair  state, 
The  glass  of  fashion  and  the  mould  of  form, 
The  observ'd  of  all  observers,  quite,  quite  down ! 
And  I,  of  ladies  most  dej  ect  and  wretched,  164 

That  suck'd  the  honey  of  his  music  vows, 
Now  see  that  noble  and  most  sovereign  reason, 
Like  sweet  bells  jangled,  out  of  tune  and  harsh; 
That  unmatch'd  form  and  feature  of  blown  youth     168 

150  your  paintings:  i.e.,  that  women  paint  their  faces 

153  nickname:  travesty;  cf.  n. 

154  make  your  wantonness  your  ignorance:  i.e.,  affect  ignorance  as  a 
mask  for  wantonness 

155  on  't:  of  it  161  expectancy:  source  of  hope 
162  glass:  mirror  mould:  model  166  sovereign :  supreme 
168  feature:  proportion  of  the  whole  body          blown:  blossoming,  in  its 

bloom 


70  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Blasted  with  ecstasy:  O!  woe  is  me, 
To  have  seen  what  I  have  seen,  see  what  I  see ! 
Enter  King  and  Polonius. 

King.  Love !  his  affections  do  not  that  way  tend ; 
Nor  what  he  spake,  though  it  lack'd  form  a  little,    172 
Was  not  like  madness.     There's  something  in  his  soul 
O'er  which  his  melancholy  sits  on  brood; 
And,  I  do  doubt,  the  hatch  and  the  disclose 
Will  be  some  danger ;  which  for  to  prevent,  176 

I  have  in  quick  determination 

Thus  set  it  down:  he  shall  with  speed  to  England, 
For  the  demand  of  our  neglected  tribute: 
Haply  the  seas  and  countries  different  180 

With  variable  objects  shall  expel 
This  something-settled  matter  in  his  heart, 
Whereon  his  brains  still  beating  puts  him  thus 
From  fashion  of  himself.    What  think  you  on  't  ? 

Pol.  It  shall  do  well :  but  yet  do  I  believe  185 

The  origin  and  commencement  of  his  grief 
Sprung  from  neglected  love.     How  now,  Ophelia ! 
You  need  not  tell  us  what  Lord  Hamlet  said ; 
We  heard  it  all.     My  lord,  do  as  you  please ;  189 

But,  if  you  hold  it  fit,  after  the  play, 
Let  his  queen  mother  all  alone  entreat  him 
To  show  his  griefs :  let  her  be  round  with  him ;        192 
And  I'll  be  plac'd,  so  please  you,  in  the  ear 
Of  all  their  conference.     If  she  find  him  not, 
To  England  send  him,  or  confine  him  where 
Your  wisdom  best  shall  think. 

King.  It  shall  be  so :  196 

Madness  in  great  ones  must  not  unwatch'd  go. 

Exeunt. 

169  Blasted:  withered      175  disclose:  hatching      181  variable:  various 
182  something-settled:  somewhat  settled  183  beating:  pondering 

184  fashion  o?  himself :  his  ordinary  manner  194  find:  find  out 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  71 

Scene  Two 

\A  Hall  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Hamlet  and  two  or  three  of  the  Players. 

Ham.  Speak  the  speech,  I  pray  you,  a?_I_££?- 
nounced  it  to  you,  trippingly  on  the  tongue;  but 
if  you  mouth  it,  as  many  of  your  players  do,  I 

had  as  lief  the  town-crier  spoke  my  lines.  Nor 
do  not  saw  the  air  too  much  witli  your  hand, 
thus;  Sut  use  all  gently:  for  in  the  very  torrent, 
tempest, and — as  I  may  say — whirlwind  of 
passion,  you  must  acquire  and  beget  a  temper- 
ance, thafmay  give  it  smoothness.  O !  it  offends 
me  to  the  soul  to  hear  a  robustious  periwig- 
pated  fellow  tear  a  passion  to  tatters,  to  very 
rags,  to  split  the  ears  of  the  groundlings,  who 
for  the  most  part  are  capable  of  nothing  but 
inexplicable  dumb-shows  and  noise:  I  would 
have  such  a  fellow  whipped  for  o'er-doing 
Termagant;  it  out-herods  Herod:  pray  you, 
avoid  it.  17 

First  Play.  I  warrant  your  honour. 

Ham.  Be  not  too  tame  neither,  but  let  your 
own  discretion  be  your  tutor:  suit  the  action  to 
the  word,  the  word  to  the  action;  with  this 
special  observance,  that  you  o'erstep  not  the 
modesty  of  nature;  for  anything  so  overdone  is 
from  the  purpose  of  playing,  whose  end,  both  at 

2  trippingly:  rapidly,  but  with  neat  articulation 

3  mouth :  speak  loudly  with  false  emphasis  and  indistinctness 
8  beget:  attain      _  temperance:  moderation 

10  robustious:  boisterous         periwig-pated :  wearing  a  wig 

12  groundlings;  cf.  n.      13  capable  of:  able  to  receive  impressions  from 

14  inexplicable  dumb-shows;  cf.  n. 

16  Termagant;  cf.  n.         out-herods  Herod;  cf.  n. 

24  from :  apart  from 


72  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

the  first  and  now,  was  and  is,  to  hold,  as  'twere, 
the  mirror  up  to  nature;  to  show  virtue  her  own 
feature,  scorn  her  own  image,  and  the  very  age 
and  body  of  the  time  his  form  and  pressure. 
Now,  this  overdone,  or  come  tardy  off,  though  it 
make  the  unskilful  laugh,  cannot  but  make  the 
judicious  grieve;  the  censure  of  which  one  must 
in  your  allowance  o'erweigh  a  whole  theatre  of 
others.  O!  there  be  players  that  I  have  seen 
play,  and  heard  others  praise,  and  that  highly, 
not  to  speak  it  profanely,  that,  neither  having 
the  accent  of  Christians  nor  the  gait  of  Christian, 
pagan,  nor  man,  have  so  strutted  and  bellowed 
that  I  have  thought  some  of  nature's  journey- 
men had  made  men  and  not  made  them  well, 
they  imitated  humanity  so  abominably.  40 

First  Play.  I  hope  we  have  reformed  that 
indifferently  with  us,  sir. 

Ham.  O !  reform  it  altogether.  And  let  those 
that  play  your  clowns  speak  no  more  than  is 
set  down  for  them;  for  there  be  of  them  that 
will  themselves  laugh,  to  set  on  some  quantity  of 
barren  spectators  to  laugh  too,  though  in  the 
mean  time  some  necessary  question  of  the  play 
be  then  to  be  considered;  that's  villainous,  and 
shows  a  most  pitiful  ambition  in  the  fool  that 
uses  it.    Go,  make  you  ready.  Exeunt  Players. 

Enter  Polonius,  Rosencrantz,  and  Guildenstern. 

How  now,  my  lord!  will  the  king  hear  this  piece  of 
work  ?  52 

28  pressure:  impressed  character,  stamp 

29  come  tardy  off:  inadequately  done 

31  which  one:  one  of  whom  32  allowance:  acknowledgment 

38  journeymen:  laborers  not  yet  masters  of  their  trade 

45  there  be  of  them:  there  are  some;  cf.  n.         47  barren:  barren  of  wit 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  78 

Pol.  And  the  queen  too,  and  that  presently. 
Ham.  Bid  the  players  make  haste.     Exit  Polonius. 
Will  you  two  help  to  hasten  them? 

(-i    ]    \  We  will,  my  lord.  56 

Exeunt   [Rosencrants  and  Guildenstern.] 
Ham.  What,  ho!  Horatio! 

Enter  Horatio. 

Hot.  Here,  sweet  lord,  at  your  service. 

Ham.  Horatio,  thou  art  e'en  as  just  a  man 
As  e'er  my  conversation  cop'd  withal.  60 

Hor.  O !  my  dear  lord, — 

Ham.  Nay,  do  not  think  I  flatter; 

For  what  advancement  may  I  hope  from  thee, 
That  no  revenue  hast  but  thy  good  spirits 
To  feed  and  clothe  thee?     Why  should  the  poor  be 
flatter'd?  64 

No;  let  the  candied  tongue  lick  absurd  pomp, 
And  crook  the  pregnant  hinges  of  the  knee 
Where  thrift  may  follow  fawning.     Dost  thou  hear? 
Since  my  dear  soul  was  mistress  of  her  choice 
And  could  of  men  distinguish,  her  election  69 

Hath  seal'd  thee  for  herself;  for  thou  hast  been 
As  one,  in  suffering  all,  that  suffers  nothing, 
A  man  that  fortune's  buffets  and  rewards  72 

Hast  ta'en  with  equal  thanks ;  and  bless'd  are  those 
Whose  blood  and  judgment  are  so  well  co-mingled 
That  they  are  not  a  pipe  for  fortune's  finger 
To  sound  what  stop  she  please.    Give  me  that  man    76 
That  is  not  passion's  slave,  and  I  will  wear  him 

59  just:  balanced  60  cop'd  withal:  came  in  contact  wit h 

65  candied :  flattering  66  pregnant  hinges:  easily  inclined  joints 

67  thrift:  profit  69  election:  choice  74  blood:  passions 

76  stop:  a  hole  in  wind  instruments  for  controlling  the  sound 


74  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

In  my  heart's  core,  ay,  in  my  heart  of  heart, 

As  I  do  thee.     Something  too  much  of  this. 

There  is  a  play  to-night  before  the  king;  80 

One  scene  of  it  comes  near  the  circumstance 

Which  I  have  told  thee  of  my  father's  death: 

I  prithee,  when  thou  seest  that  act  afoot, 

Even  with  the  very  comment  of  thy  soul  84 

Observe  mine  uncle ;  if  his  occulted  guilt 

Do  not  itself  unkennel  in  one  speech, 

It  is  a  damned  ghost  that  we  have  seen, 

And  my  imaginations  are  as  foul  88 

As  Vulcan's  stithy.     Give  him  heedful  note; 

For  I  mine  eyes  will  rivet  to  his  face, 

And  after  we  will  both  our  judgments  join 

In  censure  of  his  seeming. 

Hor.  Well,  my  lord:  92 

If  he  steal  aught  the  whilst  this  play  is  playing, 
And  'scape  detecting,  I  will  pay  the  theft. 

Ham.  They  are  coming  to  the  play ;  I  must  be  idle : 
Get  you  a  place.  96 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Polonius,  Ophelia,  Rosencrantz, 
Guildenstern,  and  other  Lords  attendant,  with  his 
Guard  carrying  torches.  Danish  March.  Sound 
a  Flourish. 

King.  How  fares  our  cousin  Hamlet? 

Ham.  Excellent,  i'  faith;  of  the  chameleon's 
dish:  I  eat  the  air,  promise-crammed;  you  can- 
not feed  capons  so.  100 

King.  I  have  nothing  with  this  answer,  Ham- 
let; these  words  are  not  mine. 

84  very  comment:  most  intense  observation  85  occulted:  hidden 

86  unkennel:  reveal  89  Vulcan ;  cf.  n.  stithy:  smithy,  or,  anvil 

92  censure:  giving  an  opinion  seeming:  appearance 

95  be  idle:  act  mad;  cf.  n.  98  chameleon's  dish;  cf.  n. 

101  have  nothing  with:  can  make  nothing  of 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  75 

Ham.  No,     nor     mine    now.       [To    Polonius.'] 
My  lord,  you  played  once  i'  the  university,  you 
say  ?  105 

Pol.  That  did  I,  my  lord,  and  was  accounted 
a  good  actor. 

Ham.  And  what  did  you  enact?  108 

Pol.  I  did  enact  Julius  Caesar:  I  was  killed 
i'  the  Capitol;  Brutus  killed  me. 

Ham.  It  was  a  brute  part  of  him  to  kill  so 
capital  a  calf  there.    Be  the  players  ready  ?  112 

Ros.  Ay,    my    lord;    they    stay    upon    your 
patience. 

Queen.  Come  hither,  my  good  Hamlet,  sit  by 
me.  116 

Ham.  No,    good    mother,    here's    metal    more 
attractive. 

Pol.  [To  the  King.']   O  ho!  do  you  mark  that? 

Ham.  Lady,  shall  I  lie  in  your  lap?  120 

[Lying  down  at  Ophelia's  feet."] 

Oph.  No,  my  lord. 

Ham.  I  mean,  my  head  upon  your  lap? 

Oph.  Ay,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Do  you  think  I  meant  country  matters  ? 

Oph.  I  think  nothing,  my  lord.  125 

Ham.  That's   a   fair   thought  to  lie  between 
maids'  legs. 

Oph.  What  is,  my  lord?  128 

Ham.  Nothing. 

Oph.  You  are  merry,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Who,  I  ? 

Oph.  Ay,  my  lord.  132 

Ham.  O    God,   your    only   jig-maker.      What 

109  Julius  Caesar;  cf.  n.  110  Capitol;  cf.  n.  Ill  part:  action 

113  stay  upon:  wait  for 

114  patience:  permission  117  metal:  material 


76  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

should  a  man  do  but  be  merry?  for,  look  you, 
how  cheerfully  my  mother  looks,  and  my  father 
died  within's  two  hours.  136 

Oph.  Nay,  'tis  twice  two  months,  my  lord. 

Ham.  So  long?  Nay,  then,  let  the  devil  wear 
black,  for  I'll  have  a  suit  of  sables.  O  heavens ! 
die  two  months  ago,  and  not  forgotten  yet? 
Then  there's  hope  a  great  man's  memory  may 
outlive  his  life  half  a  year ;  but,  by  'r  lady,  he 
must  build  churches  then,  or  else  shall  he  suffer 
not  thinking  on,  with  the  hobby-horse,  whose 
epitaph  is,  'For,  O!  for,  O!  the  hobby-horse  is 
forgot.'  146 

Hautboys  play.     The  dumb-show  enters. 

Enter  a  King  and  a  Queen,  very  lovingly;  the  Queen 
embracing  him,  and  he  her.  She  kneels,  and 
makes  show  of  protestation  unto  him.  He  takes 
her  up,  and  declines  his  head  upon  her  neck;  lays 
him  down  upon  a  bank  of  flowers:  she,  seeing 
him  asleep,  leaves  him.  Anon  comes  in  a  fellow, 
takes  off  his  crown,  kisses  it,  and  pours  poison  in 
the  King's  ears,  and  exit.  The  Queen  returns, 
finds  the  King  dead,  and  makes  passionate  action. 
The  Poisoner,  with  some  two  or  three  Mutes, 
comes  in  again,  seeming  to  lament  with  her.  The 
dead  body  is  carried  away.  The  Poisoner  wooes 
the  Queen  with  gifts;  she  seems  loath  and  un- 
willing awhile,  but  in  the  end  accepts  his  love. 

Exeunt. 
Oph.  What  means  this,  my  lord? 

139  suit  of  sables :  suit  of  rich  fur 

143  suffer  not  thinking  on:  be  forgotten 

144  hobby-horse:  one  of  the  participants  in  the  morris  dance;  cf.  n. 
S.  d.  Hautboys:  wooden  double-reed  instruments  of  high  pitch 

S.  d.  The  dumb-show  enters;  cf.  n. 

S.  d.  Mutes:  actors  without  speaking  parts 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  77 

Ham.  Marry,  this  is  miching  mallecho;  it 
means  mischief.  149 

Oph.  Belike  this  show  imports  the  argument 
of  the  play. 

Enter  Prologue. 

Ham.  We  shall  know  by  this  fellow:  the 
players  cannot  keep  counsel ;  they'll  tell  all.  153 

Oph.  Will  he  tell  us  what  this  show  meant? 

Ham.  Ay,  or  any  show  that  you'll  show 
him;  be  not  you  ashamed  to  show,  he'll  not 
shame  to  tell  you  what  it  means.  157 

Oph.  You  are  naught,  you  are  naught.  I'll 
mark  the  play. 

Pro.  For  us  and  for  our  tragedy,  160 

Here  stooping  to  your  clemency, 
We  beg  your  hearing  patiently. 

Ham.  Is  this  a  prologue,  or  the  posy  of  a 
ring?  164 

Oph.  'Tis  brief,  my  lord. 

Ham.  As  woman's  love. 

Enter  [two  Players  as~\  King  and  his  Queen. 

[P.]  King.  Full    thirty    times    hath   Phoebus'    cart 
gone  round  167 

Neptune's  salt  wash  and  Tellus'  orbed  ground, 
And  thirty  dozen  moons  with  borrow' d  sheen 
About  the  world  have  times  twelve  thirties  been, 
Since  love  our  hearts  and  Hymen  did  our  hands 
Unite  commutual  in  most  sacred  bands.  172 

148  miching  mallecho:  skulking  mischief ;  cf.  n. 

150  imports:  indicates  153  counsel :  secret 

158  naught:  wanton  161  stooping:  bowing 

163  posy:  motto,  short  verse  167  cart:  chariot 

168  wash:  sea        Tellus';  cf.  n.         169  borrow'd  sheen:  reflected  light 
172  commutual:  an  intensive  form  of  'mutual' 


78  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

[P.]  Queen.  So  many  journeys  may  the  sun  and 
moon 
Make  us  again  count  o'er  ere  love  be  done! 
But,  woe  is  me!  you  are  so  sick  of  late,  175 

So  far  from  cheer  and  from  your  former  state, 
That  I  distrust  you.     Yet,  though  I  distrust, 
Discomfort  you,  my  lord,  it  nothing  must; 
For  women's  fear  and  love  holds  quantity, 
In  neither  aught,  or  in  extremity.  180 

Now,  what  my  love  is,  proof  hath  made  you  know; 
And  as  my  love  is  siz'd,  my  fear  is  so. 
[Where  love  is  great,  the  littlest  doubts  are  fear; 
Where    little    fears    grow    great,    great    love    grows 
there.']  184 

[P.]  King.  Faith,    I    must    leave    thee,    love,    and 
shortly  too; 
My  operant  powers  their  functions  leave  to  do: 
And  thou  shalt  live  in  this  fair  world  behind, 
Honour'd,  belov'd;  and  haply  one  as  kind  188 

For  husband  shalt  thou — 

[P.]  Queen.  0!  confound  the  rest; 

Such  love  must  needs  be  treason  in  my  breast: 
In  second  husband  let  me  be  accurst; 
None  wed  the  second  but  who  kill'd  the  first.  192 

Ham.  [Aside.]  Wormwood,  wormwood. 

[P.]  Queen.  The   instances   that   second   marriage 
move, 
Are  base  respects  of  thrift,  but  none  of  love; 
A  second  time  I  kill  my  husband  dead,  196 

When  second  husband  kisses  me  in  bed. 

177  I  distrust  you:  I  have  misgivings  on  your  account 

179  quantity :  proportion 

180  In  .  .  .  extremity:  in  either  no  feeling  or  the  very  deepest 
186  operant:  active 

194  instances:  motives,  inducements        move:  suggest 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  79 

[P.]  King.  I  do  believe  you  think  what  now  you 

speak; 
But  what  we  do  determine  oft  we  break. 
Purpose  is  but  the  slave  to  memory,  200 

Of  violent  birth,  but  poor  validity; 
Which  now,  like  fruit  unripe,  sticks  on  the  tree, 
But  fall  unshaken  when  they  mellow  be. 
Most  necessary  'tis  that  we  forget  204 

To  pay  ourselves  what  to  ourselves  is  debt; 
What  to  ourselves  in  passion  we  propose, 
The  passion  ending,  doth  the  purpose  lose. 
The  violence  of  either  grief  or  joy  208 

Their  own  enactures  with  themselves  destroy; 
Where  joy  most  revels  grief  doth  most  lament, 
Grief  joys,  joy  grieves,  on  slender  accident. 
This  world  is  not  for  aye,  nor  'tis  not  strange, 
That    even    our    loves    should    with    our    fortunes 

change;  213 

For  'tis  a  question  left  us  yet  to  prove 
Whether  love  lead  fortune  or  else  fortune  love. 
The  great  man  down,  you  mark  his  favourite  flies;  216 
The  poor  advanc'd  makes  friends  of  enemies. 
And  hitherto  doth  love  on  fortune  tend, 
For  who  not  needs  shall  never  lack  a  friend; 
And  who  in  want  a  hollow  friend  doth  try  220 

Directly  seasons  him  his  enemy. 
But,  orderly  to  end  where  I  begun, 
Our  wills  and  fates  do  so  contrary  run 
That  our  devices  still  are  overthrown,  224 

Our  thoughts  are  ours,  their  ends  none  of  our  own: 
So  think  thou  wilt  no  second  husband  wed; 
But  die  thy  thoughts  when  thy  first  lord  is  dead. 

201  validity:  strength  209  enactures:  fulfilments 

220  hollow:  insincere  225  ends:  results 


so  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

[P.]  Queen.  Nor  earth  to  me  give  food,  nor  heaven 
light!  228 

Sport  and  repose  lock  from  me  day  and  night! 
[To  desperation  turn  my  trust  and  hope! 
An  anchor's  cheer  in  prison  be  my  scope /] 
Each  opposite  that  blanks  the  face  of  joy  232 

Meet  what  I  would  have  well,  and  it  destroy! 
Both  here  and  hence  pursue  me  lasting  strife, 
If,  once  a  widow,  ever  I  be  wife! 

Ham.  If  she  should  break  it  now !  236 

[P.]  King.  'Tis   deeply   sworn.     Sweet,   leave   me 
here  awhile; 
My  spirits  grow  dull,  and  fain  I  would  beguile 
The  tedious  day  with  sleep.  (Sleeps.) 

[P.]  Queen.  Sleep  rock  thy  brain; 

And  never  come  mischance  between  us  twain!        Exit. 
Ham.  Madam,  how  like  you  this  play  ?  241 

Queen.  The  lady  doth  protest  too  much,  me- 
thinks. 

Ham.  O !  but  she'll  keep  her  word.  244 

King.  Have    you    heard    the    argument?      Is 
there  no  offence  in  't  ? 

Ham.  No,  no,  they  do  but  jest,  poison  in  jest; 
no  offence  i'  the  world.  248 

King.  What  do  you  call  the  play? 
Ham.  The  Mouse-trap.  Marry,  how?  Tro- 
pically. This  play  is  the  image  of  a  murder 
done  in  Vienna:  Gonzago  is  the  duke's  name; 
his  wife,  Baptista.  You  shall  see  anon;  'tis  a 
knavish  piece  of  work:  but  what  of  that?  your 
majesty  and  we  that  have  free  souls,  it  touches 

229  Sport:  pleasure;  cf.  n.  231  anchor's:  anchorite's 

232  opposite:  contrary  thing  blanks:  blanches,  makes  pale 

242  protest :  vo w  250  Tropically:  figuratively 

251  image:  representation  252  duke's  name;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  81 

us  not :  let  the  galled  j  ade  wince,  our  withers  are 
unwrung.  257 

Enter  [Player  as]  Lucianus. 

This  is  one  Lucianus,  nephew  to  the  king. 
Oph.  You  are  a  good  chorus,  my  lord. 
Ham.  I    could    interpret    between    you    and 
your  love,  if  I  could  see  the  puppets  dallying.      261 
Oph.  You  are  keen,  my  lord,  you  are  keen. 
Ham.  It  would  cost  you  a  groaning  to  take 
off  my  edge.  264 

Oph.  Still  better,  and  worse. 
Ham.  So    you    must    take    your     husbands. 
Begin,    murderer;     pox,     leave     thy     damnable 
faces,   and   begin.      Come;    the   croaking   raven 
doth  bellow  for  revenge.  269 

Luc.  Thoughts    black,   hands   apt,   drugs   fit,    and 
time  agreeing; 
Confederate  season,  else  no  creature  seeing; 
Thou  mixture  rank,  of  midnight  weeds  collected, 
With  Hecate's  ban  thrice  blasted,  thrice  infected, 
Thy  natural  magic  and  dire  property,  274 

On  wholesome  life  usurp  immediately. 

{Pours  the  poison  in  his  ears.) 
Ham.  He  poisons  him  i'  the  garden  for  's 
estate.  His  name's  Gonzago;  the  story  is  extant, 
and  writ  in  very  choice  Italian.  You  shall  see 
anon  how  the  murderer  gets  the  love  of  Gon- 
zago's  wife.  280 

256  galled  jade:  horse  sore  from  chafing  withers:  shoulders 

257  unwrung:  not  galled 

259  chorus:  in  Elizabethan  drama  one  who  speaks  a  prologue  sum- 
marizing the  action 

260  interpret;  cf.  n. 

267  pox:  small-pox,  used  frequently  as  an  imprecation 

268  the  croaking  .  .  .  revenge;  cf.  n. 

271  Confederate:  conspiring  to  assist  273  Hecate;  cf.  n. 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


Oph.  The  king  rises. 

Ham.  What !  frighted  with  false  fire  ? 

Queen.  How  fares  my  lord? 

Pol.  Give  o'er  the  play.  284 

King.  Give  me  some  light:  away! 

All.  Lights,  lights,  lights ! 

Exeunt  all  but  Hamlet  and  Horatio. 
Ham.  "Why,  let  the  stricken  deer  go  weep, 

The  hart  ungalled  play;  288 

For    some    must    watch,    while    some    must 
sleep : 
So  runs  the  world  away." 
Would  not  this,  sir,  and  a  forest  of  feathers,  if 
the  rest  of  my  fortunes  turn  Turk  with  me,  with 
two  Provincial  roses  on  my  razed  shoes,  get  me 
a  fellowship  in  a  cry  of  players,  sir? 
Hor.  Half  a  share. 

Ham.  A  whole  one,  I.  296 

"For  thou  dost  know,  O  Damon  dear, 
This  realm  dismantled  was 
Of  Jove  himself;  and  now  reigns  here 

A  very,  very — pa  jock."  300 

Hor.  You  might  have  rimed. 
Ham.  O  good  Horatio!     I'll  take  the  ghost's 
word  for  a  thousand  pound.    Didst  perceive? 

Hor.  Very  well,  my  lord.  304 

Ham.  Upon  the  talk  of  the  poisoning? 
Hor.  I  did  very  well  note  him. 

282  false  fire;  cf.  n.        284  Give  o'er:  stop        287  deer  go  weep;  cf.  n. 

291  forest  of  feathers:  an  allusion  to  the  plumes  worn  by  tragic  actors 

292  turn  Turk:  change  completely 

293  Provincial    roses:    rosettes    imitating    the    damask    rose;    cf.    n. 
razed:  slashed,  i.e.,  with  cuts  or  openings 

294  fellowship:  partnership         cry:  company;  cf.  n. 

295  share:  i.e.,  in  the  profits  of  the  company ;  cf.  n.      297  Damon;  cf.  n. 
298  dismantled:  deprived  300  pajock :  peacock (1)  ;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  88 

Ham.  Ah,  ha !  Come,  some  music !  come, 
the  recorders!  308 

"For  if  the  king  like  not  the  comedy, 

Why  then,  belike  he  likes  it  not,  perdy." 
Come,  some  music! 

Enter  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern. 

Guil.  Good  my  lord,  vouchsafe  me  a  word 
with  you.  313 

Ham.  Sir,  a  whole  history. 

Guil.  The  king,  sir, — 

Ham.  Ay,  sir,  what  of  him?  316 

Guil.  Is  in  his  retirement  marvellous  dis- 
tempered. 

Ham.  With  drink,  sir? 

Guil.  No,  my  lord,  rather  with  choler.  320 

Ham.  Your  wisdom  should  show  itself  more 
richer  to  signify  this  to  his  doctor;  for,  for  me 
to  put  him  to  his  purgation  would  perhaps 
plunge  him  into  far  more  choler.  324 

Guil.  Good  my  lord,  put  your  discourse  into 
some  frame,  and  start  not  so  wildly  from  my 
affair. 

Ham.  I  am  tame,  sir;  pronounce.  328 

Guil.  The  queen,  your  mother,  in  most  great 
affliction  of  spirit,  hath  sent  me  to  you. 

Ham.  You  are  welcome.  331 

Guil.  Nay,  good  my  lord,  this  courtesy  is 
not  of  the  right  breed.  If  it  shall  please  you 
to  make  me  a  wholesome  answer,  I  will  do 
your     mother's     commandment;     if     not,     your 

308  recorders :  wind  instruments  of  the  flute  type 

310  perdy:  a  corruption  of  par  Dieu 

317  distempered:  disordered;  cf.  n.  320  choler:  anger;  cf.  n. 

323  purgation :  purging;  cf.  n.  326  frame:  definite  form 

328  pronounce:  speak  334  wholesome :  sensible 


84  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

pardon  and  my  return  shall  be  the  end  of  my 
business.  337 

Ham.  Sir,  I  cannot. 

Guil.  What,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  Make  you  a  wholesome  answer;  my 
wit's  diseased;  but,  sir,  such  answer  as  I  can 
make,  you  shall  command;  or,  rather,  as  you 
say,  my  mother:  therefore  no  more,  but  to  the 
matter:  my  mother,  you  say, —  344 

Ros.  Then,  thus  she  says :  your  behaviour  hath 
struck  her  into  amazement  and  admiration. 

Ham.  O  wonderful  son,  that  can  so  astonish 
a  mother!  But  is  there  no  sequel  at  the  heels 
of  this  mother's  admiration?     Impart.  349 

Ros.  She  desires  to  speak  with  you  in  her 
closet  ere  you  go  to  bed. 

Ham.  We  shall  obey,  were  she  ten  times  our 
mother.     Have  you  any  further  trade  with  us  ? 

Ros.  My  lord,  you  once  did  love  me. 

Ham.  So  I  do  still,  by  these  pickers  and 
stealers.  356 

Ros.  Good  my  lord,  what  is  your  cause  of 
distemper?  you  do  surely  bar  the  door  upon 
your  own  liberty,  if  you  deny  your  griefs  to  your 
friend.  360 

Ham.  Sir,  I  lack  advancement. 

Ros.  How  can  that  be  when  you  have  the 
voice  of  the  king  himself  for  your  succession  in 
Denmark  ?  364 

Ham.  Ay,  sir,  but  'While  the  grass  grows,' — 
the  proverb  is  something  musty. 

Enter  the  Players,  with  recorders. 

355  pickers  and  stealers:  hands;  cf.  n. 

363  voice :  support  365  'While  .  .  .  grows';  cf.n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  ii  85 

O !  the  recorders :  let  me  see  one.  To  withdraw 
with  you:  why  do  you  go  about  to  recover  the 
wind  of  me,  as  if  you  would  drive  me  into  a  toil  ? 

Guil.  O !  my  lord,  if  my  duty  be  too  bold,  my 
love  is  too  unmannerly. 

Ham.  I  do  not  well  understand  that.  Will 
you  play  upon  this  pipe?  373 

Guil.  My  lord,  I  cannot. 

Ham.  I  pray  you. 

Guil.  Believe  me,  I  cannot.  376 

Ham.  I  do  beseech  you. 

Guil.  I  know  no  touch  of  it,  my  lord. 

Ham.  'Tis  as  easy  as  lying;  govern  these 
ventages  with  your  finger  and  thumb,  give  it 
breath  with  your  mouth,  and  it  will  discourse 
most  excellent  music.  Look  you,  these  are  the 
stops. 

Guil.  But  these  cannot  I  command  to  any 
utterance  of  harmony;  I  have  not  the  skill.         385 

Ham.  Why,  look  you  now,  how  unworthy  a 
thing  you  make  of  me.  You  would  play  upon 
me;  you  would  seem  to  know  my  stops;  you 
would  pluck  out  the  heart  of  my  mystery;  you 
would  sound  me  from  my  lowest  note  to  the  top 
of  my  compass;  and  there  is  much  music,  ex- 
cellent voice,  in  this  little  organ,  yet  cannot  you 
make  it  speak.  'Sblood,  do  you  think  I  am 
easier  to  be  played  on  than  a  pipe?  Call  me 
what  instrument  you  will,  though  you  can  fret 
me,  you  cannot  play  upon  me.  396 

367  withdraw  with:  speak  privately  with 

368  recover  the  wind  of :  keep  watch  up  on;  cf.  n.  369  toil:  snare 
378  know  no  touch:  have  no  skill  at  all             380  ventages:  holes,  stops 

391  compass:  range  of  voice 

392  organ:  musical  instrument,  the  recorder  395  fret;  c/.  «. 


86  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Enter  Polonius. 

God  bless  you,  sir! 

Pol.  My  lord,  the  queen  would  speak  with 
you,  and  presently. 

Ham.  Do  you  see  yonder  cloud  that's  almost 
in  shape  of  a  camel?  401 

Pol.  By  the  mass,  and  'tis  like  a  camel,  indeed. 
Ham.  Methinks  it  is  like  a  weasel. 
Pol.  It  is  backed  like  a  weasel.  404 

Ham.  Or  like  a  whale  ? 
Pol.  Very  like  a  whale. 

Ham.  Then  I  will  come  to  my  mother  by 
and  by.  [Aside. ]  They  fool  me  to  the  top  of  my 
bent.  [Aloud.]  I  will  come  by  and  by.  409 

Pol.  I  will  say  so.  Exit. 

Ham.  By  and  by  is  easily  said.  Leave  me, 
friends.  [Exeunt  all  but  Hamlet."] 

'Tis  now  the  very  witching  time  of  night,  413 

When  churchyards  yawn  and  hell  itself  breathes  out 
Contagion  to  this  world :  now  could  I  drink  hot  blood, 
And  do  such  bitter  business  as  the  day  416 

Would  quake  to  look  on.     Soft !  now  to  my  mother. 

0  heart !  lose  not  thy  nature ;  let  not  ever 
The  soul  of  Nero  enter  this  firm  bosom; 

Let  me  be  cruel,  not  unnatural ;  420 

1  will  speak  daggers  to  her,  but  use  none ; 
My  tongue  and  soul  in  this  be  hypocrites; 
How  in  my  words  soever  she  be  shent, 

To  give  them  seals  never,  my  soul,  consent!  424 

Exit. 

409  bent:  degree  of  endurance ;  cf.  n. 

413  witching:  when  spells  are  cast  419  Nero;  cf.  n. 

423  shent:  rebuked 

424  give  them  seals:  confirm  them  by  making  words  into  deeds 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  Hi  87 

Scene  Three 

[A  Room  in  the  Castle~\ 

Enter  King,  Rosencrantz,  and  Guildenstern. 

King.  I  like  him  not,  nor  stands  it  safe  with  us 
To  let  his  madness  range.    Therefore  prepare  you; 

1  your  commission  will  forthwith  dispatch, 

And  he  to  England  shall  along  with  you.  4 

The  terms  of  our  estate  may  not  endure 
Hazard  so  dangerous  as  doth  hourly  grow 
Out  of  his  lunacies. 

Guil.  We  will  ourselves  provide. 

Most  holy  and  religious  fear  it  is  8 

To  keep  those  many  many  bodies  safe 
That  live  and  feed  upon  your  majesty. 

Ros.  The  single  and  peculiar  life  is  bound 
With  all  the  strength  and  armour  of  the  mind 
To  keep  itself  from  noyance ;  but  much  more  13 

That  spirit  upon  whose  weal  depend  and  rest 
The  lives  of  many.    The  cease  of  majesty 
Dies  not  alone,  but,  like  a  gulf  doth  draw  16 

What's  near  it  with  it ;  it  is  a  massy  wheel, 
Fix'd  on  the  summit  of  the  highest  mount, 
To  whose  huge  spokes  ten  thousand  lesser  things 
Are  mortis'd  and  adj  oin'd ;  which,  when  it  falls,  20 
Each  small  annexment,  petty  consequence, 
Attends  the  boisterous  ruin.  Never  alone 
Did  the  king  sigh,  but  with  a  general  groan. 

2  range :  rove,  roam  3  forthwith  dispatch:  prepare  at  once 
5  terms:  condition  8  fear:  caution 
11  single  and  peculiar:  private  individual  13  noyance:  harm 
14  weal:  welfare  15  cease:  cessation,  euphemism  for  'death' 
16  gulf:  whirlpool  21  annexment:  appendage 
22  Attends:  accompanies 


88  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet 

King.  Arm    you,    I    pray    you,    to    this    speed? 
voyage; 
For  we  will  fetters  put  upon  this  fear, 
Which  now  goes  too  free-footed. 

Gent.  We  will  haste  us. 

Exeunt  [Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern. 

Enter  Polonius. 

Pol.  My  lord,  he's  going  to  his  mother's  closet: 
Behind  the  arras  I'll  convey  myself  2: 

To  hear  the  process ;  I'll  warrant  she'll  tax  him  home 
And,  as  you  said,  and  wisely  was  it  said, 
'Tis  meet  that  some  more  audience  than  a  mother, 
Since  nature  makes  them  partial,  should  o'erhear       3: 
The  speech,  of  vantage.     Fare  you  well,  my  liege: 
I'll  call  upon  you  ere  you  go  to  bed 
And  tell  you  what  I  know. 

King.  Thanks,  dear  my  lord. 

Exit  [Polonius.' 
O!  my  offence  is  rank,  it  smells  to  heaven;  3i 

It  hath  the  primal  eldest  curse  upon 't ; 
A  brother's  murder !    Pray  can  I  not, 
Though  inclination  be  as  sharp  as  will : 
My  stronger  guilt  defeats  my  strong  intent ;  4i 

And,  like  a  man  to  double  business  bound, 
I  stand  in  pause  where  I  shall  first  begin, 
And  both  neglect.    What  if  this  cursed  hand 
Were  thicker  than  itself  with  brother's  blood,  4< 

Is  there  not  rain  enough  in  the  sweet  heavens 
To  wash  it  white  as  snow?     Whereto  serves  mercy 
But  to  confront  the  visage  of  offence? 

24  Arm:  prepare 

29  process:  interview         tax  .  .  .  home:  censure  effectually 

33  of  vantage:  from  a  favorable  position,  or,  in  addition 

37  primal:  primeval;  cf.  n. 

44  thicker  than  itself:  made  over  double  its  normal  thickness 

47  confront:  oppose  directly 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  Hi  89 

And  what's  in  prayer  but  this  two-fold  force,  48 

To  be  forestalled,  ere  we  come  to  fall, 

Or  pardon'd,  being  down?     Then,  I'll  look  up; 

My  fault  is  past.    But,  O !  what  form  of  prayer 

Can  serve  my  turn  ?    'Forgive  me  my  foul  murder  ?'  52 

That  cannot  be ;  since  I  am  still  possess'd 

Of  those  effects  for  which  I  did  the  murder, 

My  crown,  mine  own  ambition,  and  my  queen. 

May  one  be  pardon'd  and  retain  the  offence  ?  56 

In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world 

Offence's  gilded  hand  may  shove  by  justice, 

And  oft  'tis  seen  the  wicked  prize  itself 

Buys  out  the  law;  but  'tis  not  so  above;  60 

There  is  no  shuffling,  there  the  action  lies 

In  his  true  nature,  and  we  ourselves  compell'd 

Even  to  the  „eeth  and  forehead  of  our  faults 

To  give  in  evidence.     What  then?  what  rests? 

Try  what  repentance  can:  what  can  it  not?  65 

Yet  what  can  it,  when  one  can  not  repent  ? 

O  wretched  state !  O  bosom  black  as  death ! 

O  limed  soul,  that  struggling  to  be  free  68 

Art  more  engaged !    Help,  angels  !  make  assay ; 

Bow,  stubborn  knees;  and  heart  with  strings  of  steel 

Be  soft  as  sinews  of  the  new-born  babe. 

All  may  be  well.  [Retires  and  kneels.'] 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Now  might  I  do  it  pat,  now  he  is  praying;  73 
And  now  I'll  do  't :  and  so  he  goes  to  heaven ; 

49  forestalled:  prevented  in  anticipation 

54  effects:  i.e.,  things  acquired  by  an  action 

iS  ambition:  i.e.,  the  realization  of  ambition  (so  also  offence  in  56) 

58  gilded  hand:  hand  using  bribes  of  gold 

59  wicked  prize:  reward  of  wickedness  60  Buys  out :  corrupts 
51  shuffling:  practice  of  trickery         lies:  used  in  its  legal  sense;  cf.  n. 
53  teeth  and  forehead :  very  face  64  rests:  remains 
58  limed:  caught  with  bird-lime                               69  engaged:  entangled 


90  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

And  so  am  I  reveng'd.    That  would  be  scann'd: 

A  villain  kills  my  father;  and  for  that,  76 

I,  his  sole  son,  do  this  same  villain  send 

To  heaven. 

Why,  this  is  hire  and  salary,  not  revenge. 

He  took  my  father  grossly,  full  of  bread,  80 

With  all  his  crimes  broad  blown,  as  flush  as  May; 

And  how  his  audit  stands  who  knows  save  heaven  ? 

But  in  our  circumstance  and  course  of  thought 

'Tis  heavy  with  him.    And  am  I  then  reveng'd, 

To  take  him  in  the  purging  of  his  soul,  85 

When  he  is  fit  and  season'd  for  his  passage? 

No. 

Up,  sword,  and  know  thou  a  more  horrid  hent ;  88 

When  he  is  drunk  asleep,  or  in  his  rage, 

Or  in  the  incestuous  pleasure  of  his  bed, 

At  gaming,  swearing,  or  about  some  act 

That  has  no  relish  of  salvation  in't;  92 

Then  trip  him,  that  his  heels  may  kick  at  heaven, 

And  that  his  soul  may  be  as  damn'd  and  black 

As  hell,  whereto  it  goes.     My  mother  stays: 

This  physic  but  prolongs  thy  sickly  days.  Exit. 

[The  King  rises  and  advances.] 

King.  My    words    fly    up,    my    thoughts    remain 

below:  97 

Words  without  thoughts  never  to  heaven  go.        Exit. 

75  would:  requires  to         scann'd:  examined,  considered 

79  hire  and  salary :  i.e.,  a  reward 

80  full  of  bread:  without  opportunity  to  fast;  cf.  n. 

81  broad  blown:  in  full  bloom         flush:  lusty  82  audit:  account 
83  in  our  circumstance  and  course:  according  to  our  vague  ideas 

86  passage:  i.e.,  to  the  other  world  88  hent:  intention 

92  relish :  flavor  96  physic:  medicine,  i.e.,  the  postponement 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  iv  91 

Scene  Four 

[The  Queen's  Closet] 

Enter  Queen  and  Polonius. 

Pol.  He  will  come  straight.     Look  you  lay  home 
to  him ; 
Tell  him  his  pranks  have  been  too  broad  to  bear  with, 
And  that  your  Grace  hath  screen'd  and  stood  between 
Much  heat  and  him.    I'll  silence  me  e'en  here.  4 

Pray  you,  be  round  with  him. 

Ham.  (Within.)   Mother,  mother,  mother! 

Queen.  I'll  warrant  you; 

Fear  me  not.    Withdraw,  I  hear  him  coming. 

[Polonius  hides  behind  the  arras.] 

Enter  Hamlet 

Ham.  Now,  mother,  what's  the  matter?  8 

Queen.  Hamlet,   thou   hast   thy    father   much    of- 
fended. 

Ham.  Mother,  you  have  my  father  much  offended. 

Queen.  Come,    come,    you    answer    with    an    idle 
tongue. 

Ham.  Go,  go,  you  question  with  a  wicked  tongue.  12 

Queen.  Why,  how  now,  Hamlet ! 

Ham.  What's  the  matter  now? 

Queen.  Have  you  forgot  me? 

Ham.  No,  by  the  rood,  not  so: 

You  are  the  queen,  your  husband's  brother's  wife; 
And, — would  it  were  not  so ! — you  are  my  mother.     16 

Queen.  Nay  then,  I'll  set  those  to  you  that  can 
speak. 

1  lay  home:  talk  plainly  2  broad:  free,  unrestrained 

4  heat:  anger  14  rood:  cross 


92  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  Come,  come,  and  sit  you  down;  you  shall 
not  budge; 
You  go  not,  till  I  set  you  up  a  glass 
Where  you  may  see  the  inmost  part  of  you.  20 

Queen.  What  wilt  thou  do?  thou  wilt  not  murder 
me? 
Help,  help,  ho! 

Pol.  [Behind.]  What,  ho!  help!  help!  help! 
Ham.  [Draws.-]   How  now!   a   rat?      Dead,   for   a 
ducat,  dead!  [Makes  a  thrust  through  the  arras.] 

Kills  Polonius. 

Pol.  [Behind.]   O !  I  am  slain.  24 

Queen.  O  me,  what  hast  thou  done? 

Ham.  Nay,  I  know  not:  is  it  the  king? 

Queen.  O !  what  a  rash  and  bloody  deed  is  this ! 

Ham.  A     bloody     deed!     almost     as     bad,     good 
mother,  28 

As  kill  a  king,  and  marry  with  his  brother. 

Queen.  As  kill  a  king! 

Ham.  Ay,  lady,  'twas  my  word. 

[Lifts  up  the  arras  and  discovers  Polonius.] 
[To  Polonius.]   Thou  wretched,  rash,  intruding  fool, 

farewell ! 
I  took  thee  for  thy  better;  take  thy  fortune;  32 

Thou  find'st  to  be  too  busy  is  some  danger. 
[To  the  Queen.]   Leave    wringing    of    your    hands: 

peace !  sit  you  down, 
And  let  me  wring  your  heart ;  for  so  I  shall 
If  it  be  made  of  penetrable  stuff,  36 

If  damned  custom  have  not  brass'd  it  so 
That  it  is  proof  and  bulwark  against  sense. 

37  brass'd:  hardened 

38  proof  and  bulwark:  an  impenetrable  defence         sense:  feeling 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  iv  93 

Queen.  What  have  I  done  that  thou  dar'st  wag  thy 
tongue 
In  noise  so  rude  against  me? 

Ham.  Such  an  act  40 

That  blurs  the  grace  and  blush  of  modesty, 
Calls  virtue  hypocrite,  takes  off  the  rose 
From  the  fair  forehead  of  an  innocent  love 
And  sets  a  blister  there,  makes  marriage  vows 
As  false  as  dicers'  oaths ;  O  !  such  a  deed  45 

As  from  the  body  of  contraction  plucks 
The  very  soul,  and  sweet  religion  makes 
A  rhapsody  of  words ;  heaven's  face  doth  glow, 
Yea,  this  solidity  and  compound  mass,  49 

With  tristful  visage,  as  against  the  doom, 
Is  thought-sick  at  the  act. 

Queen.  Ay  me !  what  act, 

That  roars  so  loud  and  thunders  in  the  index  ? 

Ham.  Look    here,    upon    this     picture,    and     on 
this ;  53 

The  counterfeit  presentment  of  two  brothers. 
See,  what  a  grace  was  seated  on  this  brow ; 
Hyperion's  curls,  the  front  of  Jove  himself,  56 

An  eye  like  Mars,  to  threaten  and  command, 
A  station  like  the  herald  Mercury 
New-lighted  on  a  heaven-kissing  hill, 
A  combination  and  a  form  indeed,  60 

Where  every  god  did  seem  to  set  his  seal, 
To  give  the  world  assurance  of  a  man. 
This  was  your  husband:  look  you  now,  what  follows. 
Here  is  your  husband;  like  a  mildew'd  ear,  64 

46  contraction:  marriage  contract 

48  rhapsody  of  words:  meaningless  string  of  words  glow:  blush 

49  solidity  and  compound  mass:  the  earth 

50  tristful:  sad         doom:  doomsday  52  index:  preface 
54  counterfeit  presentment:  portrayed  likeness 

56  front:  forehead  58  station :  poise  64  ear:  ear  of  wheat 


94  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Blasting  his  wholesome  brother.     Have  you  eyes? 
Could  you  on  this  fair  mountain  leave  to  feed, 
And  batten  on  this  moor  ?     Ha !  have  you  eyes  ? 
You  cannot  call  it  love,  for  at  your  age  68 

The  hey-day  in  the  blood  is  tame,  it's  humble, 
And  waits  upon  the  judgment;  and  what  judgment 
Would  step  from  this  to  this?  [Sense,  sure,  you  have, 
Else    could   you   not    have    motion;    but    sure,    that 
sense  72 

Is  apoplex'd;  for  madness  would  not  err, 
Nor  sense  to  ecstasy  was  ne'er  so  thrall'd 
But  it  reserv'd  some  quantity  of  choice,  75 

To  serve  in  such  a  difference.]     What  devil  was  't 
That  thus  hath  cozen'd  you  at  hoodman-blind  ? 
[Eyes  without  feeling,  feeling  without  sight, 
Ears  without  hands  or  eyes,  smelling  sans  all, 
Or  but  a  sickly  part  of  one  true  sense  80 

Could  not  so  mope.] 

O  shame !  where  is  thy  blush  ?    Rebellious  hell, 
If  thou  canst  mutine  in  a  matron's  bones, 
To  flaming  youth  let  virtue  be  as  wax,  84 

And  melt  in  her  own  fire:  proclaim  no  shame 
When  the  compulsive  ardour  gives  the  charge, 
Since  frost  itself  as  actively  doth  burn, 
And  reason  panders  will. 

Queen.  O  Hamlet !  speak  no  more ; 

Thou  turn'st  mine  eyes  into  my  very  soul ;  89 

And  there  I  see  such  black  and  grained  spots 
As  will  not  leave  their  tinct. 

67  batten :  grow  fat  on         moor:  a  barren  upland;  cf.  n. 

69  hey-day:  state  of  excitement,  youthful  high  spirits 

71   Sense:  reasoning  power  72  motion:  emotion  (?) 

73  apoplex'd:  atrophied  74  thrall'd:  enslaved 

75  quantity  of  choice:  power  to  choose  76  difference:  disagreement 

77  cozen'd:  cheated         hoodman-blind:  blind  man's  buff 

79  sans:  without      81  mope :  act  aimlessly       83  mutine:  rise  in  mutiny 

86  charge:  command  88  panders:  ministers  to  the  gratifications  of 

90  grained :  ingrained  91  tinct:  co lor 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  iv  95 

Ham.  Nay,  but  to  live 

In  the  rank  sweat  of  an  enseamed  bed,  92 

Stew'd  in  corruption,  honeying  and  making  love 
Over  the  nasty  sty, 

Queen.  O!  speak  to  me  no  more; 

These  words  like  daggers  enter  in  mine  ears ; 
No  more,  sweet  Hamlet! 

Ham.  A  murderer,  and  a  villain; 

A  slave  that  is  not  twentieth  part  the  tithe  97 

Of  your  precedent  lord;  a  vice  of  kings; 
A  cut-purse  of  the  empire  and  the  rule, 
That  from  a  shelf  the  precious  diadem  stole,  100 

And  put  it  in  his  pocket ! 

Queen.  No  more! 

Ham.  A  king  of  shreds  and  patches, — 

Enter  Ghost. 

Save  me,  and  hover  o'er  me  with  your  wings, 
You  heavenly  guards !     What  would  your   gracious 
figure  ?  104 

Queen.  Alas!  he's  mad! 

Ham.  Do  you  not  come  your  tardy  son  to  chide, 
That,  laps'd  in  time  and  passion,  lets  go  by 
The  important  acting  of  your  dread  command  ? 
O !  say. 

Ghost.  Do  not  forget:  this  visitation  109 

Is  but  to  whet  thy  almost  blunted  purpose. 
But,  look !  amazement  on  thy  mother  sits ; 
O !  step  between  her  and  her  fighting  soul ;  112 

92  enseamed:  greasy  97  tithe:  tenth  part 

98  precedent:  former         vice:  buffoon;  cf.  n. 

99  cut-purse:  pickpocket 

102  shreds  and  patches:  rabble  and  fools  (?)  ;  cf.  n. 

107  laps'd  in  time  and  passion:  "having  suffered  time  to  go  by  and 
passion  to  cool"(?) 

108  important:  urgent 


96  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Conceit  in  weakest  bodies  strongest  works : 
Speak  to  her,  Hamlet. 

Ham.  How  is  it  with  you,  lady? 

Queen.  Alas !  how  is't  with  you, 
That  you  do  bend  your  eye  on  vacancy  116 

And  with  the  incorporal  air  do  hold  discourse? 
Forth  at  your  eyes  your  spirits  wildly  peep; 
And,  as  the  sleeping  soldiers  in  the  alarm, 
Your  bedded  hair,  like  life  in  excrements,  120 

Starts  up  and  stands  an  end.    O  gentle  son! 
Upon  the  heat  and  flame  of  thy  distemper 
Sprinkle  cool  patience.    Whereon  do  you  look? 

Hcun.  On  him,  on  him !     Look  you,  how  pale  he 
glares !  124 

His  form  and  cause  conjoin'd,  preaching  to  stones, 
Would  make  them  capable.     Do  not  look  upon  me; 
Lest  with  this  piteous  action  you  convert 
My  stern  effects :  then  what  I  have  to  do  128 

Will  want  true  colour;  tears  perchance  for  blood. 

Queen.  To  whom  do  you  speak  this  ? 

Ham.  Do  you  see  nothing  there? 

Queen.  Nothing  at  all;  yet  all  that  is  I  see. 

Ham.  Nor  did  you  nothing  hear? 

Queen.  No,  nothing  but  ourselves. 

Ham.  Why,  look  you   there !   look,  how   it   steals 
away;  138 

My  father,  in  his  habit  as  he  liv'd; 
Look!  where  he  goes,  even  now,  out  at  the  portal. 

Exit  Ghost. 

117  incorporal :  incorporeal 

120  bedded :  smooth,  flatly  brushed  life  in  excrements:  living  out- 
growth 

125  conjoin'd:  united  126  capable:  capable  of  feeling 

127  convert:  turn  aside  128  effects:  purposes 

129  want  true  colour:  lack  true  cause  134  habit:  dress 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  iv  97 

Queen.  This  is  the  very  coinage  of  your  brain :      136 
This  bodiless  creation  ecstasy 
Is  very  cunning  in. 

Ham.  Ecstasy! 
My  pulse,  as  yours,  doth  temperately  keep  time, 
And  makes  as  healthful  music.    It  is  not  madness     141 
That  I  have  utter'd:  bring  me  to  the  test, 
And  I  the  matter  will  re-word,  which  madness 
Would  gambol  from.     Mother,  for  love  of  grace, 
Lay  not  that  flattering  unction  to  your  soul,  145 

That  not  your  trespass  but  my  madness  speaks ; 
It  will  but  skin  and  film  the  ulcerous  place, 
Whiles  rank  corruption,  mining  all  within,  148 

Infects  unseen.     Confess  yourself  to  heaven; 
Repent  what's  past ;  avoid  what  is  to  come ; 
And  do  not  spread  the  compost  on  the  weeds 
To     make     them     ranker.       Forgive     me     this     my 
virtue ;  152 

For  in  the  fatness  of  these  pursy  times 
Virtue  itself  of  vice  must  pardon  beg, 
Yea,  curb  and  woo  for  leave  to  do  him  good. 

Queen.  O   Hamlet!   thou   hast   cleft   my  heart   in 
twain.  156 

Ham.  O !  throw  away  the  worser  part  of  it, 
And  live  the  purer  with  the  other  half. 
Good  night ;  but  go  not  to  mine  uncle's  bed ; 
Assume  a  virtue,  if  you  have  it  not.  160 

[That  monster,  custom,  who  all  sense  doth  eat, 
Of  habits  devil,  is  angel  yet  in  this, 
That  to  the  use  of  actions  fair  and  good 
He  likewise  gives  a  frock  or  livery,  164 

143  re-word:  repeat  word  for  word 

144  gambol  from :  skip  away  from  grace:  Go d  145  unction :  salve 
148  mining:  undermining  153  fatness:  grossness  pursy:  corpulent 
155  curb i  and  woo :  bow  and  beg  163  use:  habitual  practice 


98  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

That  aptly  is  put  on.]     Refrain  to-night; 
And  that  shall  lend  a  kind  of  easiness 
To  the  next  abstinence:  [the  next  more  easy; 
For  use  almost  can  change  the  stamp  of  nature, 
And  master  ev'n  the  devil  or  throw  him  out  169 

With  wondrous  potency.]     Once  more,  good-night: 
And  when  you  are  desirous  to  be  bless'd, 
I'll  blessing  beg  of  you.    For  this  same  lord,  172 

[Pointing  to  Polonius.'] 
I  do  repent:  but  heaven  hath  pleas'd  it  so, 
To  punish  me  with  this,  and  this  with  me, 
That  I  must  be  their  scourge  and  minister. 
I  will  bestow  him,  and  will  answer  well  176 

The  death  I  gave  him.    So,  again,  good-night. 
I  must  be  cruel  only  to  be  kind: 
Thus  bad  begins  and  worse  remains  behind. 
[One  word  more,  good  lady.] 

Queen.  What  shall  I  do?       180 

Ham.  Not  this,  by  no  means,  that  I  bid  you  do: 
Let  the  bloat  king  tempt  you  again  to  bed ; 
Pinch  wanton  on  your  cheek;  call  you  his  mouse; 
And  let  him,  for  a  pair  of  reechy  kisses,  184 

Or  paddling  in  your  neck  with  his  damn'd  fingers, 
Make  you  to  ravel  all  this  matter  out, 
That  I  essentially  am  not  in  madness, 
But    mad    in    craft.       'Twere    good    you    let    him 
know ;  188 

For  who  that's  but  a  queen,  fair,  sober,  wise, 
Would  from  a  paddock,  from  a  bat,  a  gib, 
Such  dear  concernings  hide?  who  would  do  so? 

169  master;  cf.  n.  171  be  bless'd:  to  become  blessed 

176  answer :  accouni  for      182  bloat:  bloated       183  wanton:  wantonly 
184  reechy:  greasy  185  paddling:  playing  fondly 

187  essentially:  in  my  essential  nature 

190  paddock:  toad         gib:  tom-cat 

191  dear  concernings:  affairs  dearly  concerning  one 


Prince  of  Denmark,  III.  iv  " 

No,  in  despite  of  sense  and  secrecy,  192 

Unpeg  the  basket  on  the  house's  top, 

Let  the  birds  fly,  and,  like  the  famous  ape, 

To  try  conclusions,  in  the  basket  creep, 

And  break  your  own  neck  down.  196 

Queen.  Be  thou  assur'd,  if  words  be  made  of  breath, 
And  breath  of  life,  I  have  no  life  to  breathe 
What  thou  hast  said  to  me. 

Ham.  I  must  to  England;  you  know  that? 

Queen.  Alack ! 

I  had  forgot:  'tis  so  concluded  on.  201 

Ham.   [There's  letters  seal'd;  and  my  two  school- 
fellows, 
Whom  I  will  trust  as  I  will  adders  fang'd, 
They  bear  the  mandate;  they  must  sweep  my  way, 
And  marshal  me  to  knavery.    Let  it  work ;  205 

For  'tis  the  sport  to  have  the  enginer 
Hoist  with  his  own  petar :  and  it  shall  go  hard 
But  I  will  delve  one  yard  below  their  mines,  208 

And  blow  them  at  the  moon.    O !  'tis  most  sweet, 
When  in  one  line  two  crafts  directly  meet.] 
This  man  shall  set  me  packing; 

I'll  lug  the  guts  into  the  neighbour  room.  212 

Mother,  good-night.     Indeed  this  counsellor 
Is  now  most  still,  most  secret,  and  most  grave, 
Who  was  in  life  a  foolish  prating  knave. 
Come,  sir,  to  draw  toward  an  end  with  you.  216 

Good-night,  mother. 

Exit  Hamlet  tugging  in  Polonius. 

194  famous  ape:  a  reference  not  yet  identified 

195  conclusions:  experiments 

204  mandate:  command        sweep  my  way :  clear  my  path 

205  marshal:  conduct 

206  enginer:  maker  of  military  engines,  sapper 

207  Hoist:  blown  up         petar:  small  bomb         go  hard  But;  cf.  n. 
211  set  me  packing:  send  me  off  quickly 


ioo  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

ACT  FOURTH 

Scene  One 

[A  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  King,  [and  Queen,  with  Rosencrantz,  and 
Guildenstern.] 

King.  There's  matter  in  these  sighs,  these  profound 
heaves : 
You  must  translate ;  'tis  fit  we  understand  them. 
Where  is  your  son  ? 

[Queen.  Bestow  this  place  on  us  a  little  while.]     4 
[Exeunt  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern.] 
Ah !  my  good  lord,  what  have  I  seen  to-night ! 

King.  What,  Gertrude?     How  does  Hamlet? 

Queen.  Mad  as  the  sea  and  wind,  when  both  con- 
tend 
Which  is  the  mightier.     In  his  lawless  fit,  8 

Behind  the  arras  hearing  something  stir, 
Whips  out  his  rapier,  cries,  'A  rat!  a  rat!' 
And,  in  his  brainish  apprehension,  kills 
The  unseen  good  old  man. 

King.  O  heavy  deed!  12 

It  had  been  so  with  us  had  we  been  there. 
His  liberty  is  full  of  threats  to  all ; 
To  you  yourself,  to  us,  to  every  one. 
Alas!  how  shall  this  bloody  deed  be  answer'd? 
It  will  be  laid  to  us,  whose  providence  17 

Should  have  kept  short,  restrain'd,  and  out  of  haunt, 
This  mad  young  man :  but  so  much  was  our  love, 
We  would  not  understand  what  was  most  fit,  20 

I  heaves:  prolonged  sighs 

II  brainish  apprehension:  insane  illusion,  or,  brain-sick  mood 

12  heavy:  grievous  17   providence:  foresight 

18  short:  under  control,  tethered        out  of  haunt:  out  of  company 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  i  101 

But,  like  the  owner  of  a  foul  disease, 
To  keep  it  from  divulging,  let  it  feed 
Even  on  the  pith  of  life.    Where  is  he  gone? 

Queen.  To  draw  apart  the  body  he  hath  kill'd ;      24 
O'er  whom  his  very  madness,  like  some  ore 
Among  a  mineral  of  metals  base, 
Shows  itself  pure :  he  weeps  for  what  is  done. 

King.  O  Gertrude!  come  away.  28 

The  sun  no  sooner  shall  the  mountains  touch 
But  we  will  ship  him  hence ;  and  this  vile  deed 
We  must,  with  all  our  majesty  and  skill, 
Both  countenance  and  excuse.    Ho !  Guildenstern !    32 

Enter  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern. 

Friends  both,  go  join  you  with  some  further  aid: 
Hamlet  in  madness  hath  Polonius  slain, 
And  from  his  mother's  closet  hath  he  dragg'd  him: 
Go  seek  him  out ;  speak  fair,  and  bring  the  body 
Into  the  chapel.     I  pray  you,  haste  in  this.  37 

Exeunt   [Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern.] 
Come,  Gertrude,  we'll  call  up  our  wisest  friends ; 
And  let  them  know  both  what  we  mean  to  do, 
And  what's  untimely  done:  [so,  haply,  slander, 
Whose  whisper  o'er  the  world's  diameter,  41 

As  level  as  the  cannon  to  his  blank 
Transports  his  poison'd  shot,  may  miss  our  name, 
And  hit  the  woundless  air.]     O  !  come  away;  44 

My  soul  is  full  of  discord  and  dismay.  Exeunt. 

22  divulging:  becoming  known  26  mineral:  mine 

36  fair:  courteously  40  so,  haply,  slander;  cf.  n. 

41  diameter:  extent  from  side  to  side 

42  level:  straight        blank:  white  spot  in  the  centre  of  a  target 
44  woundless:  invulnerable 


102  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Scene  Two 
[Another  Room  in  the  Castle] 
Enter  Hamlet. 
Ham.  Safely  stowed. 

T?rtv        ) 

C   7    \  (Within.)   Hamlet!  Lord  Hamlet! 

Ham.  What  noise?  who  calls  on  Hamlet? 
O !  here  they  come.  4 

Enter  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern. 

Ros.  What  have  you  done,  my  lord,  with  the  dead 

body  ? 
Ham.  Compounded  it  with  dust,  whereto  'tis  kin. 
Ros.  Tell  us  where  'tis,  that  we  may  take  it  thence 
And  bear  it  to  the  chapel.  8 

Ham.  Do  not  believe  it. 
Ros.  Believe  what? 

Ham.  That  I  can  keep  your  counsel  and  not 
mine  own.  Besides,  to  be  demanded  of  a  sponge ! 
what  replication  should  be  made  by  the  son  of 
a  king?  14 

Ros.  Take  you  me  for  a  sponge,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Ay,  sir,  that  soaks  up  the  king's 
countenance,  his  rewards,  his  authorities.  But 
such  officers  do  the  king  best  service  in  the  end: 
he  keeps  them,  like  an  ape,  in  the  corner  of  his 
jaw;  first  mouthed,  to  be  last  swallowed:  when 
he  needs  what  you  have  gleaned,  it  is  but 
squeezing  you,  and,  sponge,  you  shall  be  dry 
again.  23 

Ros.   I  understand  you  not,  my  lord. 

13  replication:  reply 

17  countenance:  favor  authorities:  offices  of  authority 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IF.  Hi  ios 

Ham.  I  am  glad  of  it:  a  knavish  speech 
sleeps  in  a  foolish  ear. 

Ros.  My  lord,  you  must  tell  us  where  the 
body  is,  and  go  with  us  to  the  king.  28 

Ham.  The  body  is  with  the  king,  but  the 
king  is  not  with  the  body.    The  king  is  a  thing — 

Guil.  A  thing,  my  lord! 

Ham.  Of  nothing:  bring  me  to  him.  Hide 
fox,  and  all  after.  Exeunt. 

Scene  Three 

[Another  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  King,  [attended.] 

King.  I  have  sent  to  seek  him,  and  to  find  the  body. 
How  dangerous  is  it  that  this  man  goes  loose ! 
Yet  must  not  we  put  the  strong  law  on  him : 
He's  lov'd  of  the  distracted  multitude,  4 

Who  like  not  in  their  judgment,  but  their  eyes; 
And  where  'tis  so,  the  offender's  scourge  is  weigh'd, 
But  never  the  offence.     To  bear  all  smooth  and  even, 
This  sudden  sending  him  away  must  seem  8 

Deliberate  pause:  diseases  desperate  grown 
By  desperate  appliance  are  reliev'd, 
Or  not  at  all. 

Enter  Rosencrantz. 

How  now!  what  hath  befall'n? 
Ps$.  Where  the  dead  body  is  bestow'd,  my  lord,     13 
We  cannot  get  from  him. 

29  The  .  .  .  body;  cf.  n. 

32  Hide  fox,  and  all  after:  signal  cry  in  the  game  of  hide-and-seek 

4  distracted :  without  power  of  forming  logical  judgments 

6  scourge:  punishment         weigh'd:  estimated,  considered 

7  bear:  execute         smooth  and  even:  pleasantly  and  equably 
10  appliance :  remedy 


104  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

King.  But  where  is  he? 

Ros.  Without,   my   lord;    guarded,   to   know    your 

pleasure. 
King.  Bring  him  before  us. 
Ros.  Ho,  Guildenstern !  bring  in  my  lord.  18 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Guildenstern. 

King.  Now,  Hamlet,  where's  Polonius? 

Ham.  At  supper 

King.  At  supper!    Where? 

Ham.  Not  where  he  eats,  but  where  he  is 
eaten:  a  certain  convocation  of  politic  worms 
are  e'en  at  him.  Your  worm  is  your  only 
emperor  for  diet:  we  fat  all  creatures  else  to  fat 
us,  and  we  fat  ourselves  for  maggots:  your  fat 
king  and  your  lean  beggar  is  but  variable  ser- 
vice; two  dishes,  but  to  one  table:  that's  the 
end. 

[King.  Alas,  alas !  28 

Ham.  A  man  may  fish  with  the  worm  that 
hath  eat  of  a  king,  and  eat  of  the  fish  that 
hath  fed  of  that  worm.] 

King.  What  dost  thou  mean  by  this?  32 

Ham.  Nothing,  but  to  show  you  how  a  king 
may  go  a  progress  through  the  guts  of  a  beggar. 

King.  Where  is  Polonius?  35 

Ham.  In  heaven;  send  thither  to  see:  if 
your  messenger  find  him  not  there,  seek  him 
i'  the  other  place  yourself.  But,  indeed,  if  you 
find  him  not  within  this  month,  you  shall  nose 
him  as  you  go  up  the  stairs  into  the  lobby.  40 

King.  [To  some  Attendants.]   Go  seek  him  there. 
Ham.  He  will  stay  till  you  come. 


21  convocation:  assembly;  cf.  n.         politic:  crafty 
25  variable  service :  variety  of  food  34  pi 


34  progress:  state  journey 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  Hi  105 

[Exeunt  Attendants.'] 
King.  Hamlet,  this  deed,  for  thine  especial  safety, 
Which  we  do  tender,  as  we  dearly  grieve  44 

For  that  which  thou  hast  done,  must  send  thee  hence 
With  fiery  quickness :  therefore  prepare  thyself ; 
The  bark  is  ready,  and  the  wind  at  help, 
The  associates  tend,  and  every  thing  is  bent  48 

For  England. 

Ham.  For  England! 

King.  Ay,  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Good. 

King.  So  is  it,  if  thou  knew'st  our  purposes. 

Ham.  I  see  a  cherub  that  sees  them.     But, 
come;  for  England!     Farewell,  dear  mother.         52 
King.  Thy  loving  father,  Hamlet. 
Ham.  My  mother:  father  and  mother  is  man 
and  wife,  man  and  wife  is  one  flesh,  and  so,  my 
mother.     Come,  for  England!  Exit. 

King.  Follow  him  at  foot;  tempt  him  with  speed 
aboard:  57 

Delay  it  not,  I'll  have  him  hence  to-night. 
Away !  for  every  thing  is  seal'd  and  done 
That    else    leans    on    the    affair:    pray    you,    make 
haste.  60 

[Exeunt  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern.] 
And,  England,  if  my  love  thou  hold'st  at  aught, — 
As  my  great  power  thereof  may  give  thee  sense, 
Since  yet  thy  cicatrice  looks  raw  and  red 
After  the  Danish  sword,  and  thy  free  awe  64 

Pays  homage  to  us, — thou  mayst  not  coldly  set 
Our  sovereign  process,  which  imports  at  full, 

48  bent:  prepared  57  at  foot:  close  behind 

60  leans  on:  depends  upon  63  cicatrice :  scar 

64  free  awe:  awe  still  felt  but  no  longer  enforced  by  arms 

65  set:  esteem  66  process:  formal  command 


106  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

By  letters  conjuring  to  that  effect, 

The  present  death  of  Hamlet.    Do  it,  England; 

For  like  the  hectic  in  my  blood  he  rages,  69 

And  thou  must  cure  me.    Till  I  know  'tis  done, 

Howe'er  my  haps,  my  joys  were  ne'er  begun.      Exit. 

Scene  Four 

[Near  Elsinore] 

Enter  Fortinbras  with  an  army. 

For.  Go,  captain,  from  me  greet  the  Danish  king; 
Tell  him  that,  by  his  licence,  Fortinbras 
Claims  the  conveyance  of  a  promis'd  march 
Over  his  kingdom.    You  know  the  rendezvous.  4 

If  that  his  majesty  would  aught  with  us, 
We  shall  express  our  duty  in  his  eye, 
And  let  him  know  so. 

Cap.  I  will  do 't,  my  lord. 

For.  Go  softly  on.  8 

[Exeunt  Fortinbras  and  Soldiers.] 

[Enter  Hamlet,  Rosencrantz,  §c. 

Ham.  Good  sir,  whose  powers  are  these? 
Cap.  They  are  of  Norway,  sir. 
Ham.  How  purpos'd,  sir,  I  pray  you? 
Cap.  Against  some  part  of  Poland.  12 

Ham.  Who  commands  them,  sir? 
Cap.  The  nephew  to  old  Norway,  Fortinbras. 
Ham.  Goes  it  against  the  main  of  Poland,  sir, 
Or  for  some  frontier?  16 

Cap.  Truly  to  speak,  and  with  no  addition, 

69  hectic :  wasting  fever  71  haps:  fortunes 

3  conveyance:  convoy     6  in  his  eye:  in  his  presence      8  softly:  slowly 
9  powers:  troops  _  15  main:  chief  part,  or,  chief  power 

17  no  addition:  without  adding  fine  words,  or,  without  amplification 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  iv  107 

We  go  to  gain  a  little  patch  of  ground 

That  hath  in  it  no  profit  but  the  name. 

To  pay  five  ducats,  five,  I  would  not  farm  it ;  20 

Nor  will  it  yield  to  Norway  or  the  Pole 

A  ranker  rate,  should  it  be  sold  in  fee. 

Ham.  Why,  then  the  Polack  never  will  defend  it. 
Cap.  Yes,  'tis  already  garrison'd.  24 

Ham.  Two   thousand   souls   and   twenty   thousand 
ducats 
Will  not  debate  the  question  of  this  straw: 
This  is  the  imposthume  of  much  wealth  and  peace, 
That  inward  breaks,  and  shows  no  cause  without      28 
Why  the  man  dies.    I  humbly  thank  you,  sir. 

Cap.  God  be  wi'  you,  sir.  [Ej;jf.] 

Ros.  Will 't  please  you  go,  my  lord  ? 

Ham.  I'll  be  with  you  straight.     Go  a  little  before. 
[Exeunt  all  except  Hamlet."] 
How  all  occasions  do  inform  against  me,  32 

And  spur  my  dull  revenge !    What  is  a  man, 
If  his  chief  good  and  market  of  his  time 
Be  but  to  sleep  and  feed  ?  a  beast,  no  more. 
Sure  he  that  made  us  with  such  large  discourse,         36 
Looking  before  and  after,  gave  us  not 
That  capability  and  god-like  reason 
To  fust  in  us  unus'd.    Now,  whether  it  be 
Bestial  oblivion,  or  some  craven  scruple  40 

Of  thinking  too  precisely  on  the  event, 
A  thought,  which,  quarter'd,  hath  but  one  part  wisdom, 
And  ever  three  parts  coward,  I  do  not  know 
Why  yet  I  live  to  say  'This  thing's  to  do;'  44 

22  ranker:  richer        sold  in  fee:  sold  absolutely 

26  debate:  bring  to  a  settlement         straw:  trifling  matter 

27  imposthume:  abscess  34  market:  marketing 
36  large  discourse:  latitude  of  comprehension  39  fust:  become  mouldy 
40  Bestial  oblivion:  animal-like  forgetfulness  41  event:  outcome 


108  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Sith  I  have  cause  and  will  and  strength  and  means 

To  do  't.     Examples  gross  as  earth  exhort  me: 

Witness  this  army  of  such  mass  and  charge 

Led  by  a  delicate  and  tender  prince,  48 

Whose  spirit  with  divine  ambition  puff  d 

Makes  mouths  at  the  invisible  event, 

Exposing  what  is  mortal  and  unsure 

To  all  that  fortune,  death  and  danger  dare,  52 

Even  for  an  egg-shell.     Rightly  to  be  great 

Is  not  to  stir  without  great  argument, 

But  greatly  to  find  quarrel  in  a  straw 

When  honour's  at  the  stake.    How  stand  I  then, 

That  have  a  father  kill'd,  a  mother  stain'd,  57 

Excitements  of  my  reason  and  my  blood, 

And  let  all  sleep,  while,  to  my  shame,  I  see 

The  imminent  death  of  twenty  thousand  men, 

That,  for  a  fantasy  and  trick  of  fame,  61 

Go  to  their  graves  like  beds,  fight  for  a  plot 

Whereon  the  numbers  cannot  try  the  cause, 

Which  is  not  tomb  enough  and  continent  64 

To  hide  the  slain  ?    O !  from  this  time  forth, 

My  thoughts  be  bloody,  or  be  nothing  worth! 

Exit.] 

Scene  Five 

[Elsinore.     A  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Queen  and  Horatio,  [with  a  Gentleman.] 

Queen.  I  will  not  speak  with  her. 
Gent.  She  is  importunate,  indeed  distract: 
Her  mood  will  needs  be  pitied. 

45  Sith:  since  47  charge:  expense  50  mouths:  grimaces 

54  argument:  cause        58  Excitements:  incentives  61   trick:  trifle 

64  continent:  receptacle 
Scene  V,  S.  d.;  cf.  n.  2  importunate:  persistent 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  v  109 

Queen.  What  would  she  have? 

Gent.  She  speaks  much  of  her  father;  says  she 

hears  4 

There's  tricks  i'  the  world;  and  hems,  and  beats  her 

heart; 
Spurns  enviously  at  straws;  speaks  things  in  doubt, 
That  carry  but  half  sense:  her  speech  is  nothing, 
Yet  the  unshaped  use  of  it  doth  move  8 

The  hearers  to  collection ;  they  aim  at  it, 
And  botch  the  words  up  fit  to  their  own  thoughts; 
Which,  as  her  winks,  and  nods,  and  gestures  yield 

them, 
Indeed    would    make    one    think    there    might    be 
thought,  12 

Though  nothing  sure,  yet  much  unhappily. 

Hor.  'Twere  good  she  were  spoken  with,  for  she 
may  strew 
Dangerous  conjectures  in  ill-breeding  minds. 

Queen.  Let  her  come  in.  [Exit  Gentleman.~\ 

To  my  sick  soul,  as  sin's  true  nature  is,  17 

Each  toy  seems  prologue  to  some  great  amiss: 
So  full  of  artless  jealousy  is  guilt, 
It  spills  itself  in  fearing  to  be  spilt.  20 

Enter  Ophelia  distracted. 

Oph.  Where  is  the  beauteous  majesty  of  Denmark? 
Queen.  How  now,  Ophelia ! 

5  tricks:  deceptions 

6  Spurns:  kick s        enviously:  spitefully        in  doubt:  ambiguous 

8  unshaped:  artless  9  collection:  inference        aim:  guess 

11  yield  them:  bring  her  words  forth 

13  nothing:  not  at  all        much:  very 

15  ill-breeding:  plotting  ill  18  great  amiss:  calamity 

19  artless:  unskilful 

20  spills :  ruins  S.  d.  Cf.  n. 


1 1  o  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Oph.  "How  should  I  your  true  love  know 

From  another  one?  24 

By  his  cockle  hat  and  staff, 
And  his  sandal  shoon." 
Queen.  Alas!  sweet  lady,  what  imports  this  song? 
Oph.  Say  you?  nay,  pray  you,  mark.  28 

"He  is  dead  and  gone,  lady, 
He  is  dead  and  gone ; 
At  his  head  a  grass-green  turf ; 

At  his  heels  a  stone."  32 

O,  ho! 

Queen.  Nay,  but  Ophelia, — 
Oph.  Pray  you,  mark. 

"White  his  shroud  as  the  mountain 

snow, — "  36 

Enter  King. 
Queen.  Alas!  look  here,  my  lord. 
Oph.       "Larded  with  sweet  flowers; 

Which  bewept  to  the  grave  did  go 

With  true-love  showers."  40 

King.  How  do  you,  pretty  lady  ? 

Oph.  Well,  God  'ild  you!  They  say  the  owl 
was  a  baker's  daughter.  Lord!  we  know  what 
we  are,  but  know  not  what  we  may  be.  God  be 
at  your  table !  45 

King.  Conceit  upon  her  father. 
Oph.  Pray  you,  let's  have  no  words  of  this ;  but 
when  they  ask  you  what  it  means,  say  you  this: 
"To-morrow  is  Saint  Valentine's  day,  49 

All  in  the  morning  betime, 
And  I  a  maid  at  your  window, 

To  be  your  Valentine:  62 

25  cockle  hat:  pilgrim's  hat;  cf.  n. 

26  shoon:  shoes  38  larded :  garnished 
42  God  'ild:  God  reward         owl  was  a  baker's  daughter;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  v  U1 

Then  up  he  rose,  and  donn'd  his  clothes, 

And  dupp'd  the  chamber  door; 
Let  in  the  maid,  that  out  a  maid 

Never  departed  more."  56 

King.  Pretty  Ophelia! 

Oph.  Indeed,  la!   without  an  oath,   I'll  make   an 
end  on  't : 
"By  Gis  and  by  Saint  Charity, 

Alack,  and  fie  for  shame !  60 

Young  men  will  do  %  if  they  come  to  't ; 

By  Cock  they  are  to  blame. 
Quoth  she,  before  you  tumbled  me, 

You  promis'd  me  to  wed.  64 

So  would  I  ha'  done,  by  yonder  sun, 
An  thou  hadst  not  come  to  my  bed." 
King.  How  long  hath  she  been  thus  ?  67 

Oph.  I  hope  all  will  be  well.     We  must  be 
patient:  but  I  cannot  choose  but  weep,  to  think 
they  should  lay  him  i'   the   cold  ground.     My 
brother  shall  know  of  it:  and  so  I  thank  you 
for  your  good  counsel.     Come,  my  coach !    Good- 
night,   ladies;    good-night,    sweet   ladies;    good- 
night, good-night.  Exit. 
King.  Follow  her  close;  give  her  good  watch,   I 
pray  you.                                           [Exit  Horatio.'] 
O !  this  is  the  poison  of  deep  grief ;  it  springs  76 
All  from  her  father's  death.     O  Gertrude,  Gertrude! 
When  sorrows  come,  they  come  not  single  spies, 
But  in  battalions.    First,  her  father  slain; 
Next,  your  son  gone ;  but  he  most  violent  author        80 
Of  his  own  just  remove:  the  people  muddied, 

54  dupp'd:  opened  59  by  Gis:  by  Jesus 

62  Cock :  perversion  of  'God'  in  oaths 

81  remove:  removal        muddied:  confused  in  mind 


1 1 2  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Thick    and    unwholesome    in    their    thoughts     and 

whispers, 
For  good   Polonius'   death;   and  we  have   done  but 

greenly, 
In  hugger-mugger  to  inter  him:  poor  Ophelia 
Divided  from  herself  and  her  fair  judgment,  85 

Without  the  which  we  are  pictures,  or  mere  beasts : 
Last,  and  as  much  containing  as  all  these, 
Her  brother  is  in  secret  come  from  France,  88 

Feeds  on  his  wonder,  keeps  himself  in  clouds, 
And  wants  not  buzzers  to  infect  his  ear 
With  pestilent  speeches  of  his  father's  death; 
Wherein  necessity,  of  matter  beggar'd,  92 

Will  nothing  stick  our  person  to  arraign 
In  ear  and  ear.    O  my  dear  Gertrude !  this, 
Like  to  a  murdering-piece,  in  many  places 
Gives  me  superfluous  death.  A  noise  within. 

Queen.  Alack!  what  noise  is  this? 

Enter  a  Messenger. 

King.  Where  are  my  Switzers?     Let  them  guard 
the  door.  97 

What  is  the  matter  ? 

Mess.  Save  yourself,  my  lord; 

The  ocean,  overpeering  of  his  list, 
Eats  not  the  flats  with  more  impetuous  haste 
Than  young  Laertes,  in  a  riotous  head,  101 

O'erbears  your  officers.     The  rabble  call  him  lord; 
And,  as  the  world  were  now  but  to  begin, 

83  greenly:  foolishly  _  84  In  hugger-mugger :  secretly 

89  wonder:  doubt        in  clouds:  in  gloom,  or,  invisible 

90  buzzers:  tale-bearers  92  Wherein:  i.e.,  in  which  pestilent  speeches 
93  nothing  stick:  not  at  all  hesitate  94  In  ear  and  ear:  in  many  ears 
95  murdering-piece :  small  cannon  firing  case  shot 

97  Switzers:  Swiss  guards;  cf.  n. 

99  overpeering:  rising  above         list:  boundary 

101  head:  hostile  advance 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  v  * 13 

Antiquity  forgot,  custom  not  known,  104 

The  ratifiers  and  props  of  every  word, 
They  cry,  'Choose  we;  Laertes  shall  be  king!' 
Caps,  hands,  and  tongues,  applaud  it  to  the  clouds, 
'Laertes  shall  be  king,  Laertes  king!'  108 

Queen.  How  cheerfully  on  the  false  trail  they  cry ! 
O !  this  is  counter,  you  false  Danish  dogs ! 

King.  The  doors  are  broke.  Noise  within. 

Enter  Laertes  with  others. 

Laer.  Where   is    the   king?      Sirs,    stand    you    all 
without.  112 

All.  No,  let's  come  in. 

Laer.  I  pray  you,  give  me  leave. 

All.  We  will,  we  will. 

[They  retire  without  the  door.] 

Laer.  I  thank  you:  keep  the  door.     O  thou  vile 
king! 
Give  me  my  father. 

Queen.  Calmly,  good  Laertes.  116 

Laer.  That   drop   of  blood  that's    calm   proclaims 
me  bastard, 
Cries  cuckold  to  my  father,  brands  the  harlot 
Even  here,  between  the  chaste  unsmirched  brow 
Of  my  true  mother. 

King.  What  is  the  cause,  Laertes, 

That  thy  rebellion  looks  so  giant-like?  121 

Let  him  go,  Gertrude;  do  not  fear  our  person: 
There's  such  divinity  doth  hedge  a  king, 
That  treason  can  but  peep  to  what  it  would, 
Acts  little  of  his  will.     Tell  me,  Laertes,  125 

Why  thou  art  thus  incens'd.     Let  him  go,  Gertrude. 

110  counter:  following  the  trail  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that  which 

the  game  has  taken 
118  cuckold:  husband  with  an  unfaithful  wife 


114  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Speaks  man. 

Laer.  Where  is  my  father? 

King.  Dead. 

Queen.  But  not  by  him. 

King.  Let  him  demand  his  fill.  128 

Laer.  How  came  he  dead ?    I'll  not  be  juggled  with. 
To  hell,  allegiance !  vows,  to  the  blackest  devil ! 
Conscience  and  grace,  to  the  prof oundest  pit ! 
I  dare  damnation.     To  this  point  I  stand,  132 

That  both  the  worlds  I  give  to  negligence, 
Let  come  what  comes;  only  I'll  be  reveng'd 
Most  throughly  for  my  father. 

King.  Who  shall  stay  you? 

Laer.  My  will,  not  all  the  world:  136 

And,  for  my  means,  I'll  husband  them  so  well, 
They  shall  go  far  with  little. 

King.  Good  Laertes, 

If  you  desire  to  know  the  certainty 
Of    your    dear    father's    death,    is    't    writ    in    your 
revenge,  140 

That,  swoopstake,  you  will  draw  both  friend  and  foe, 
Winner  and  loser? 

Laer.  None  but  his  enemies. 

King.  Will  you  know  them  then? 

Laer.  To  his  good  friends  thus  wide  I'll  ope  my 
arms ;  144 

And  like  the  kind  life-rendering  pelican, 
Repast  them  with  my  blood. 

King.  Why,  now  you  speak 

Like  a  good  child  and  a  true  gentleman. 
That  I  am  guiltless  of  your  father's  death,  148 

131  grace:  sense  of  duty  133  give  to  negligence:  disregard 

136  My  will :  as  regaras  my  will 

141  swoopstake:  indiscriminately ;  cf.  n. 

145  life-rendering  pelican;  cf.  n.  146  Repast:  feed 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  v  116 

And  am  most  sensibly  in  grief  for  it, 
It  shall  as  level  to  your  judgment  pierce 
As  day  does  to  your  eye. 

A  noise  within.     [Voices.']   Let  her  come  in. 

Laer.  How  now !  what  noise  is  that  ?  152 

Enter  Ophelia. 

O  heat,  dry  up  my  brains !  tears  seven  times  salt, 

Burn  out  the  sense  and  virtue  of  mine  eye ! 

By  heaven,  thy  madness  shall  be  paid  by  weight, 

Till  our  scale  turn  the  beam.    O  rose  of  May ! 

Dear  maid,  kind  sister,  sweet  Ophelia !  157 

O  heavens  !  is  't  possible  a  young  maid's  wits 

Should  be  as  mortal  as  an  old  man's  life? 

Nature  is  fine  in  love,  and  where  'tis  fine  160 

It  sends  some  precious  instance  of  itself 

After  the  thing  it  loves. 

Oph.  "They  bore  him  barefac'd  on  the  bier; 

Hey  non  nonny,  nonny,  hey  nonny ;  164 

And  in  his  grave  rain'd  many  a  tear ; — " 
Fare  you  well,  my  dove! 

Laer.  Hadst   thou   thy   wits,   and   didst   persuade 
revenge, 
It  could  not  move  thus.  168 

Oph.  "You  must  sing,  a-down  a-down, 

And  you  call  him  a-down-a." 
O  how  the  wheel  becomes  it!     It  is  the  false 
steward  that  stole  his  master's  daughter.  172 

Laer.  This  nothing's  more  than  matter. 
Oph.  There's    rosemary,    that's    for    remem- 
brance;   pray,    love,    remember:    and    there    is 
pansies,  that's  for  thoughts.  176 

149  sensibly :  feelingly  160  fine:  delicate,  subtle 

161  instance:  illustrative  example  164  Hey  non  nonny;  cf.  n. 
171   wheel;  cf.  n.         false  steward;  cf.  ft. 

174  rosemary;  cf.  n.  176  pansies;  cf.  n. 


1 1 6  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Laer.  A  document  in  madness,  thoughts  and 
remembrance  fitted. 

Oph.  There's  fennel  for  you,  and  columbines; 
there's  rue  for  you;  and  here's  some  for  me; 
we  may  call  it  herb  of  grace  o'  Sundays.  O !  you 
must  wear  your  rue  with  a  difference.  There's  a 
daisy;  I  would  give  you  some  violets,  but  they 
withered  all  when  my  father  died.  They  say  he 
made  a  good  end, —  185 

"For  bonny  sweet  Robin  is  all  my  joy." 

Laer.  Thought  and  affliction,  passion,  hell  itself, 

She  turns  to  favour  and  to  prettiness.  188 

Oph.       "And  will  he  not  come  again  ? 

And  will  he  not  come  again  ? 

No,  no,  he  is  dead; 

Go  to  thy  death-bed,  192 

He  never  will  come  again. 
His  beard  was  as  white  as  snow 
All  flaxen  was  his  poll, 

He  is  gone,  he  is  gone,  196 

And  we  cast  away  moan : 
God  ha'  mercy  on  his  soul !" 
And  of  all  Christian  souls !    I  pray  God.    God  be 
wi'  ye!  Exit  Ophelia. 

Laer.  Do  you  see  this,  O  God?  201 

King.  Laertes,  I  must  common  with  your  grief, 
Or  you  deny  me  right.     Go  but  apart, 
Make  choice  of  whom  your  wisest  friends  you  will,  204 

177  document:  lesson 

179  fennel:  emblem  of  flattery       columbines:  emblems  of  thanklessness 

180  rue:  emblem  of  repentance;  cf.  n.  182  difference;  cf.  n. 
183  daisy:  emblem  of  dissemblers  violets:  emblems  of  faithfulness 
186  For  .  .  .  joy;  cf.  n.  187  passion:  suffering 
188  favour:  charm  189  And  .  .  .  again;  cf.  n.  195  poll:  head 
197  cast  away:  shipwrecked 

202  common:  share  203  right:  equitable  treatment 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  vi  117 

And  they  shall  hear  and  judge  'twixt  you  and  me. 

If  by  direct  or  by  collateral  hand 

They  find  us  touch'd,  we  will  our  kingdom  give, 

Our  crown,  our  life,  and  all  that  we  call  ours,  208 

To  you  in  satisfaction;  but  if  not, 

Be  you  content  to  lend  your  patience  to  us, 

And  we  shall  jointly  labour  with  your  soul 

To  give  it  due  content. 

Laer.  Let  this  be  so:  212 

His  means  of  death,  his  obscure  burial, 
No  trophy,  sword,  nor  hatchment  o'er  his  bones, 
No  noble  rite  nor  formal  ostentation, 
Cry  to  be  heard,  as  'twere  from  heaven  to  earth, 
That  I  must  call  't  in  question. 

King.  So  you  shall ;  217 

And  where  the  offence  is  let  the  great  axe  fall. 
I  pray  you  go  with  me.  Exeunt. 

Scene  Six 

[Another  Room  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Horatio  with  an  Attendant. 

Hor.  What  are  they  that  would  speak  with  me? 
Atten.     Sailors,   sir:   they   say,   they   have   letters 

for  you. 
Hor.  Let  them  come  in.  [Exit  Attendant.] 

I  do  not  know  from  what  part  of  the  world  4 

I  should  be  greeted,  if  not  from  Lord  Hamlet. 
Enter  Sailor. 
Sail.  God  bless  you,  sir. 

206  collateral :  indirect  207  touch'd :  implicated 

213  means:  manner         obscure:  lowly,  mean 

214  trophy :  emblem,  or,  memorial  over  a  grave  hatchment:  tablet 
displaying  armorial  bearings 

215  ostentation :  funeral  ceremony 

217  call 't  in  question:  demand  an  explanation 


1 1 8  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Hor.  Let  him  bless  thee  too. 

Sail.  He  shall,  sir,  an  't  please  him.  There's 
a  letter  for  you,  sir; — it  comes  from  the  am- 
bassador that  was  bound  for  England; — if 
your  name  be  Horatio,  as  I  am  let  to  know 
it  is.  12 

Reads  the  letter. 

Hor.  "Horatio,  when  thou  shalt  have  over- 
looked this,  give  these  fellows  some  means  to  the 
king:  they  have  letters  for  him.  Ere  we  were 
two  days  old  at  sea,  a  pirate  of  very  war-like 
appointment  gave  us  chase.  Finding  ourselves 
too  slow  of  sail,  we  put  on  a  compelled  valour; 
in  the  grapple  I  boarded  them:  on  the  instant 
they  got  clear  of  our  ship,  so  I  alone  became 
their  prisoner.  They  have  dealt  with  me  like 
thieves  of  mercy,  but  they  knew  what  they  did; 
I  am  to  do  a  good  turn  for  them.  Let  the  king 
have  the  letters  I  have  sent;  and  repair  thou  to 
me  with  as  much  haste  as  thou  wouldst  fly 
death.  I  have  words  to  speak  in  thine  ear  will 
make  thee  dumb;  yet  are  they  much  too  light 
for  the  bore  of  the  matter.  These  good  fellows 
will  bring  thee  where  I  am.  Rosencrantz  and 
Guildenstern  hold  their  course  for  England:  of 
them  I  have  much  to  tell  thee.     Farewell. 

He  that  thou  knowest  thine,  32 

Hamlet." 
Come,  I  will  give  you  way  for  these  your  letters ; 
And  do  't  the  speedier,  that  you  may  direct  me 
To  him  from  whom  you  brought  them.  Exeunt. 

13  overlooked:  perused 

17  appointment:  equipment  24  repair:  come 

28  bore:  literally,  calibre,  hence  importance  34  way:  passage 


Prince  of  Denmark,,  IV.  vii  H9 

Scene  Seven 
\A  Room  in  the  Castle] 
Enter  King  and  Laertes. 

King.  Now  must  your  conscience  my  acquittance 
seal, 
And  you  must  put  me  in  your  heart  for  friend, 
Sith  you  have  heard,  and  with  a  knowing  ear, 
That  he  which  hath  your  noble  father  slain  4 

Pursu'd  my  life. 

Laer.  It  well  appears:  but  tell  me 

Why  you  proceeded  not  against  these  feats, 
So  crimeful  and  so  capital  in  nature, 
As  by  your  safety,  wisdom,  all  things  else,  8 

You  mainly  were  stirr'd  up. 

King.  O!  for  two  special  reasons; 

Which  may  to  you,  perhaps,  seem  much  unsinew'd, 
But  yet  to  me  they  are  strong.    The  queen  his  mother 
Lives  almost  by  his  looks,  and  for  myself, —  12 

My  virtue  or  my  plague,  be  it  either  which, — 
She's  so  conjunctive  to  my  life  and  soul, 
That,  as  the  star  moves  not  but  in  his  sphere, 
I  could  not  but  by  her.    The  other  motive,  16 

Why  to  a  public  count  I  might  not  go, 
Is  the  great  love  the  general  gender  bear  him; 
Who,  dipping  all  his  faults  in  their  affection, 
Would,  like  the  spring  that  turneth  wood  to  stone,    20 
Convert  his  gyves  to  graces ;  so  that  my  arrows, 
Too  slightly  timber'd  for  so  loud  a  wind, 

3  knowing:  intelligent,  or,  convinced  5  Pursu'd:  sought 

7  capital:  punishable  by  death  10  unsinew'd:  weak 

14  conjunctive:  closely  united  17  count:  legal  indictment 

18  general  gender:  common  people  20  spring;  cf.  n. 

21  gyves:  leg-irons;  cf.n.  22  slightly  timber'd :  of  too  light  a  wood 


1 20  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Would  have  reverted  to  my  bow  again, 

And  not  where  I  had  aim'd  them.  24 

Laer.  And  so  have  I  a  noble  father  lost; 
A  sister  driven  into  desperate  terms, 
Whose  worth,  if  praises  may  go  back  again, 
Stood  challenger  on  mount  of  all  the  age  28 

For  her  perfections.    But  my  revenge  will  come. 

King.  Break  not  your  sleeps   for  that;  you  must 
not  think 
That  we  are  made  of  stuff  so  flat  and  dull 
That  we  can  let  our  beard  be  shook  with  danger 
And    think    it    pastime.       You    shortly    shall    hear 
more ;  33 

I  lov'd  your  father,  and  we  love  ourself, 
And  that,  I  hope,  will  teach  you  to  imagine, — 

Enter  a  Messenger. 

How  now !  what  news  ? 

Mess.  Letters,  my  lord,  from  Hamlet: 

This  to  your  majesty;  this  to  the  queen.  37 

King.  From  Hamlet!  who  brought  them? 
Mess.  Sailors,  my  lord,  they  say;  I  saw  them  not: 

They  were  given  me  by  Claudio,  he  receiv'd  them     40 

[Of  him  that  brought  them.] 
King.  Laertes,  you  shall  hear  them. 

Leave  us.  Exit  Messenger. 

"High  and  mighty,  you  shall  know  I  am  set 
naked  on  your  kingdom.  To-morrow  shall  I 
beg  leave  to  see  your  kingly  eyes;  when  I  shall, 
first  asking  your  pardon  thereunto,  recount  the 
occasions  of  my  sudden  and  more  strange  re- 
turn. Hamlet." 

23  reverted:  returned;  cf.  n. 

27  praises  .   .   .  again;  cf.  n.  28  challenger  on  mount;  cf.  n. 

40  Claudio;  cf.  n.  44  naked:  without  resources 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  vii  121 

What   should   this    mean?      Are    all    the    rest   come 
back?  49 

Or  is  it  some  abuse  and  no  such  thing? 

Laer.  Know  you  the  hand? 

King.  'Tis  Hamlet's  character.     'Naked/ 

And  in  a  postscript  here,  he  says,  'alone.'  52 

Can  you  advise  me? 

Laer.  I'm  lost  in  it,  my  lord.    But  let  him  come: 
It  warms  the  very  sickness  in  my  heart, 
That  I  shall  live  and  tell  him  to  his  teeth,  56 

'Thus  didst  thou.' 

King.  If  it  be  so,  Laertes, 

As  how  should  it  be  so  ?  how  otherwise  ? 
Will  you  be  rul'd  by  me  ? 

Laer.  Ay,  my  lord; 

So  you  will  not  o'er-rule  me  to  a  peace.  60 

King.  To  thine  own  peace.     If  he  be  now  return'd, 
As  checking  at  his  voyage,  and  that  he  means 
No  more  to  undertake  it,  I  will  work  him 
To  an  exploit,  now  ripe  in  my  device,  64 

Under  the  which  he  shall  not  choose  but  fall ; 
And  for  his  death  no  wind  of  blame  shall  breathe, 
But  even  his  mother  shall  uncharge  the  practice 
And  call  it  accident. 

[Laer.  My  lord,  I  will  be  rul'd;       68 

The  rather,  if  you  could  devise  it  so 
That  I  might  be  the  organ. 

King.  It  falls  right. 

You  have  been  talk'd  of  since  your  travel  much, 
And  that  in  Hamlet's  hearing,  for  a  quality  72 

Wherein,  they  say,  you  shine;  your  sum  of  parts 

50  abuse:  imposture  51  character:  handwriting 

62  checking:  stopping  short 

67  uncharge:  acquit  of  guilt         practice:  stratagem 

70  organ:  instrument        falls:  happens 


122  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Did  not  together  pluck  such  envy  from  him 
As  did  that  one,  and  that,  in  my  regard, 
Of  the  unworthiest  siege. 

Laer.  What  part  is  that,  my  lord?     76 

King.  A  very  riband  in  the  cap  of  youth, 
Yet  needful  too;  for  youth  no  less  becomes 
The  light  and  careless  livery  that  it  wears 
Than  settled  age  his  sables  and  his  weeds,  80 

Importing  health  and  graveness.]     Two  months  since 
Here  was  a  gentleman  of  Normandy. 
I've  seen  myself,  and  serv'd  against  the  French, 
And  they  can  well  on  horseback ;  but  this  gallant        84 
Had  witchcraft  in  't,  he  grew  unto  his  seat, 
And  to  such  wondrous  doing  brought  his  horse, 
As  he  had  been  incorps'd  and  demi-natur'd 
With  the  brave  beast ;  so  far  he  topp'd  my  thought,    88 
That  I,  in  forgery  of  shapes  and  tricks, 
Come  short  of  what  he  did. 

Laer.  A  Norman  was  't  ? 

King.  A  Norman. 

Laer.  Upon  my  life,  Lamond. 

King.  The  very  same.     92 

Laer.  I  know  him  well;  he  is  the  brooch  indeed 
And  gem  of  all  the  nation. 

King.  He  made  confession  of  you, 
And  gave  you  such  a  masterly  report  96 

For  art  and  exercise  in  your  defence, 
And  for  your  rapier  most  especially, 
That  he  cried  out,  'twould  be  a  sight  indeed 

76  siege:  rank;  cf.  n.        part:  attribute  77  riband:  ribbon 

79  livery:  garb  80  weeds:  garments  81  health:  prosperity 

84  can  well:  are  skilled  87  incorps'd  and  demi-natur'd;  cf.  n. 

88  topp'd :  surpassed  89  in  .  .  .  tricks;  cf.  n. 

95  confession:  report  96  masterly  report;  cf.  n. 

97  art  and  exercise:  skilful  exercise         defence:  science  of  defence 


Prince  of  Denmark •>  IV.  vii  123 

If    one    could    match    you;    [the    scrimers    of    their 
nation,  100 

He  swore,  had  neither  motion,  guard,  nor  eye, 
If  you  oppos'd  them.]     Sir,  this  report  of  his 
Did  Hamlet  so  envenom  with  his  envy 
That  he  could  nothing  do  but  wish  and  beg  104 

Your  sudden  coming  o'er,  to  play  with  him. 
Now,  out  of  this, — 

Laer.  What  out  of  this,  my  lord? 

King.  Laertes,  was  your  father  dear  to  you  ? 
Or  are  you  like  the  painting  of  a  sorrow,  108 

A  face  without  a  heart  ? 

Laer.  Why  ask  you  this? 

King.  Not  that  I  think  you  did  not  love  your  father, 
But  that  I  know  love  is  begun  by  time, 
And  that  I  see,  in  passages  of  proof,  112 

Time  qualifies  the  spark  and  fire  of  it. 
[There  lives  within  the  very  flame  of  love 
A  kind  of  wick  or  snuff  that  will  abate  it, 
And  nothing  is  at  a  like  goodness  still,  116 

For  goodness,  growing  to  a  plurisy, 
Dies  in  his  own  too-much.     That  we  would  do, 
We    should    do   when  w^e    would,    for    this    'would' 

changes, 
And  hath  abatements  and  delays  as  many  120 

As  there  are  tongues,  are  hands,  are  accidents ; 
And  then  this  'should'  is  like  a  spendthrift  sigh, 
That  hurts  by  easing.    But,  to  the  quick  o'  the  ulcer;] 
Hamlet  comes  back;  what  would  you  undertake 
To  show  yourself  your  father's  son  in  deed  125 

More  than  in  words  ? 

Laer.  To  cut  his  throat  i'  the  church. 

100  scrimers:  fencers  105  play:  fence 

112  passages  of  proof;  cf.  n.  117  plurisy:  fulness;  cf.  n. 

120  abatements:  diminution s  122  spendthrift  sigh;  cf.  n. 


124  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

King.  No  place,  indeed,  should  murder  sanctuarize ; 
Revenge     should     have     no     bounds.       But,     good 
Laertes,  128 

Will  you  do  this,  keep  close  within  your  chamber. 
Hamlet  return'd  shall  know  you  are  come  home; 
We'll  put  on  those  shall  praise  your  excellence, 
And  set  a  double  varnish  on  the  fame  132 

The  Frenchman  gave  you,  bring  you,  in  fine,  together, 
And  wager  on  your  heads:  he,  being  remiss, 
Most  generous  and  free  from  all  contriving, 
Will  not  peruse  the  foils ;  so  that,  with  ease  136 

Or  with  a  little  shuffling,  you  may  choose 
A  sword  unbated,  and,  in  a  pass  of  practice 
Requite  him  for  your  father. 

Laer.  I  will  do  't; 

And,  for  that  purpose,  I'll  anoint  my  sword.  140 

I  bought  an  unction  of  a  mountebank, 
So  mortal  that,  but  dip  a  knife  in  it, 
Where  it  draws  blood  no  cataplasm  so  rare, 
Collected  from  all  simples  that  have  virtue  144 

Under  the  moon,  can  save  the  thing  from  death 
That  is  but  scratch'd  withal;  I'll  touch  my  point 
With  this  contagion,  that,  if  I  gall  him  slightly, 
It  may  be  death. 

King.  Let's  further  think  of  this ;  148 

Weigh  what  convenience  both  of  time  and  means 
May  fit  us  to  our  shape.     If  this  should  fail, 
And  that  our  drift  look  through  our  bad  perform- 
ance 151 
'Twere  better  not  assay'd;  therefore  this  project 
Should  have  a  back  or  second,  that  might  hold, 

131  put  on :  instigate  136  peruse:  inspect 

138  unbated:  not  blunted  pass  of  practice;  cf.  n. 

140  anoint:  smear  141  mountebank;  cf.  n. 

143  cataplasm:  poultice  144  simples:  medicinal  herbs 

145  moon;  cf.  n.  ISO  our  shape:  part  we  purpose  to  act 


Prince  of  Denmark,  IV.  vii  125 

If  this  should  blast  in  proof.     Soft!  let  me  see; 

We'll  make  a  solemn  wager  on  your  cunnings: 

I  ha  't:  156 

When  in  your  motion  you  are  hot  and  dry, — 

As  make  your  bouts  more  violent  to  that  end, — 

And  that  he  calls  for  drink,  I'll  have  prepar'd  him 

A  chalice  for  the  nonce,  whereon  but  sipping, 

If  he  by  chance  escape  your  venom'd  stuck,  161 

Our  purpose  may  hold  there.    [But  stay !  what  noise  ?] 

Enter  Queen. 

How  now,  sweet  queen ! 

Queen.  One  woe  doth  tread  upon»another's  heel,  164 
So  fast  they  follow:  your  sister's  drown'd,  Laertes. 

Laer.  Drown'd !    O,  where  ? 

Queen.  There  is  a  willow  grows  aslant  a  brook, 
That  shows  his  hoar  leaves  in  the  glassy  stream; 
There  with  fantastic  garlands  did  she  come,  169 

Of  crow-flowers,  nettles,  daisies,  and  long  purples, 
That  liberal  shepherds  give  a  grosser  name, 
But    our    cold    maids    do    dead    men's    fingers    call 
them :  172 

There,  on  the  pendent  boughs  her  coronet  weeds 
Clambering  to  hang,  an  envious  sliver  broke, 
When  down  her  weedy  trophies  and  herself 
Fell    in    the    weeping   brook.      Her    clothes    spread 
wide,  176 

And,  mermaid-like,  awhile  they  bore  her  up; 
Which  time  she  chanted  snatches  of  old  tunes, 
As  one  incapable  of  her  own  distress, 

154  blast  in  proof :  burst  when  tested  155  cunnings:  skill;  cf.  n. 

157  motion:  bodily  exertion                 160  for  the  nonce:  for  the  purpose 

161   stuck:  thrust  168  hoar :  greyish-white 

170  crow-flowers :  buttercups;  cf.  n.  long  purples:  early  purple 
orchids 

171  liberal:  licentious  173  coronet:  garlanded 
175  -weedy:  of  plants                   179  incapable:  having  no  understanding 


126  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Or  like  a  creature  native  and  indu'd  180 

Unto  that  element ;  but  long  it  could  not  be 
Till  that  her  garments,  heavy  with  their  drink, 
Pull'd  the  poor  wretch  from  her  melodious  lay 
To  muddy  death. 

Laer.  Alas !  then,  she  is  drown'd  ?      184 

Queen.  Drown'd,  drown'd. 

Laer.  Too  much  of  water  hast  thou,  poor  Ophelia, 
And  therefore  I  forbid  my  tears ;  but  yet 
It  is  our  trick,  nature  her  custom  holds,  188 

Let  shame  say  what  it  will ;  when  these  are  gone 
The  woman  will  be  out.    Adieu,  my  lord ! 
I  have  a  speech  of  fire,  that  fain  would  blaze, 
But  that  this  folly  douts  it.  Exit. 

King.  Let's  follow,  Gertrude. 

How  much  I  had  to  do  to  calm  his  rage !  193 

Now  fear  I  this  will  give  it  start  again; 
Therefore  let's  follow.  Exeunt. 


ACT  FIFTH 

Scene  One 

\_A  Churchyard] 

Enter  two  Clowns. 

[First]  Clo.  Is  she  to  be  buried  in  Christian 
burial  that  wilfully  seeks  her  own  salvation? 

Other.  I  tell  thee  she  is;  and  therefore  make 
her  grave  straight:  the  crowner  hath  sat  on  her, 
and  finds  it  Christian  burial.  6 

180  indu'd:  endowed  with  qualities  fitting  her  188  trick:  custom 

190  woman;  cf.  n.  192  douts:  puts  out,  extinguishes 

S.  d.  Clowns:  low  comedians,  or,  peasants;  cf.  n. 
4  crowner:  coroner         sat  on:  passed  on 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  i  127 

[First]  Clo.  How  can  that  be,  unless  she 
drowned  herself  in  her  own  defence? 

Other.  Why,  'tis  found  so.  8 

[First]  Clo.  It  must  be  se  offendendo;  it  can- 
not be  else.  For  here  lies  the  point:  if  I 
drown  myself  wittingly  it  argues  an  act;  and 
an  act  hath  three  branches;  it  is,  to  act,  to  do, 
and  to  perform:  argal,  she  drowned  herself 
wittingly. 

Other.  Nay,  but  hear  you,  goodman  delver, —    15 

[First]  Clo.  Give  me  leave.  Here  lies  the 
water;  good:  here  stands  the  man;  good:  if  the 
man  go  to  this  water,  and  drown  himself,  it  is, 
will  he,  nill  he,  he  goes;  mark  you  that?  but  if 
the  water  come  to  him,  and  drown  him,  he 
drowns  not  himself:  argal,  he  that  is  not  guilty 
of  his  own  death  shortens  not  his  own  life.  22 

Other.  But  is  this  law? 

[First]  Clo.  Ay,  marry,  is  't;  crowner's  quest 
law.  25 

Other.  Will  you  ha'  the  truth  on  't?  If  this 
had  not  been  a  gentlewoman  she  should  have 
been  buried  out  o'  Christian  burial.  28 

[First]  Clo.  Why,  there  thou  sayest;  and  the 
more  pity  that  great  folk  should  have  counte- 
nance in  this  world  to  drown  or  hang  them- 
selves more  than  their  even  Christian.  Come, 
my  spade.  There  is  no  ancient  gentlemen  but 
gardeners,  ditchers,  and  grave-makers;  they 
hold  up  Adam's  profession.  35 

Other.  Was  he  a  gentleman? 

[First]  Clo.  A'  was  the  first  that  ever  bore 
arms. 

9  se  offendendo;  cf.  n.  12  branches:  divisions  [of  learning] 

13  argal :  corruption  of  ergo,  therefore  IS  delver :  digger 

24  quest:  inquest  32  even:  fellow  37  bore  arms;  cf.  n. 


128  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Other.  Why,  he  had  none.  39 

[First]  Clo.  What!  art  a  heathen?  How  dost 
thou  understand  the  Scripture?  The  Scripture 
says,  Adam  digged;  could  he  dig  without  arms? 
I'll  put  another  question  to  thee;  if  thou  an- 
swerest  me  not  to  the  purpose,  confess  thyself — 

Other.  Go  to.  45 

[First']  Clo.  What  is  he  that  builds  stronger 
than  either  the  mason,  the  shipwright,  or  the 
carpenter  ? 

Other.  The  gallows-maker;  for  that  frame 
outlives  a  thousand  tenants.  50 

[First]  Clo.  I  like  thy  wit  well,  in  good  faith ; 
the  gallows  does  well,  but  how  does  it  well?  it 
does  well  to  those  that  do  ill;  now  thou  dost  ill 
to  say  the  gallows  is  built  stronger  than  the 
church:  argal,  the  gallows  may  do  well  to  thee. 
To  't  again ;  come. 

Other.  Who  builds  stronger  than  a  mason,  a 
shipwright,  or  a  carpenter?  58 

[First]  Clo.  Ay,  tell  me  that,  and  unyoke. 

Other.  Marry,  now  I  can  tell. 

[First]  Clo.  To  't. 

Other.  Mass,  I  cannot  tell.  62 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Horatio  afar  off. 

[First]  Clo.  Cudgel  thy  brains  no  more  about 
it,  for  your  dull  ass  will  not  mend  his  pace  with 
beating;  and,  when  you  are  asked  this  question 
next,  say,  'a  grave-maker:'  the  houses  that  he 
makes  last  till  doomsday.  Go,  get  thee  to 
Yaughan;  fetch  me  a  stoup  of  liquor. 

[Exit  other  Clown.] 

44  confess  thyself;  cf.  n.  59  unyoke;  cf.  n. 

68  Yaughan;  cf.  n.        stoup:  two  quart  measure 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  i  129 

[First  Clown  digs,  and]  sings. 

"In  youth,  when  I  did  love,  did  love, 

Methought  it  was  very  sweet,  70 

To  contract,  O !  the  time,  f  or-a  my  behove, 

O !  methought  there  was  nothing  meet." 
Ham.  Has  this  fellow  no  feeling  of  his  busi- 
ness, that  he  sings  at  grave-making?  74 

Hor.  Custom  hath  made  it  in  him  a  property 
of  easiness. 

Ham.  'Tis  e'en  so;  the  hand  of  little  employ- 
ment hath  the  daintier  sense.  78 

Clown  sings. 

"But  age,  with  his  stealing  steps, 
Hath  claw'd  me  in  his  clutch, 
And  hath  shipped  me  intil  the  land, 

As  if  I  had  never  been  such."  82 

[Throws  up  a  skull.] 
Ham.  That  skull  had  a  tongue  in  it,  and 
could  sing  once;  how  the  knave  jowls  it  to  the 
ground,  as  if  it  were  Cain's  jaw-bone,  that  did 
the  first  murder !  This  might  be  the  pate  of  a 
politician,  which  this  ass  now  o'er-offices,  one 
that  would  circumvent  God,  might  it  not?  88 

Hor.  It  might,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Or  of  a  courtier,  which  could  say, 
'Good  morrow,  sweet  lord!  How  dost  thou, 
good  lord?'  This  might  be  my  Lord  Such-a- 
one,  that  praised  my  Lord  Such-a-one's  horse, 
when  he  meant  to  beg  it,  might  it  not  ?  94 

Hor.  Ay,  my  lord. 

69  In  .  .  .  love;  cf.  n.  71  behove:  benefit 

75  property  of  easiness;  cf.  n.  81   intil:  into 

84  jowls:  dashes  87   o'er-offices :  exercises  his  office  over 


1 30  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  Why,  e'en  so,  and  now  my  Lady 
Worm's;  chapless,  and  knocked  about  the  maz- 
zard  with  a  sexton's  spade.  Here's  fine  revo- 
lution, an  we  had  the  trick  to  see  't.  Did  these 
bones  cost  no  more  the  breeding  but  to  play  at 
loggats  with  'em  ?  mine  ache  to  think  on  't. 
Clown  sings. 
"A  pick-axe,  and  a  spade,  a  spade,  102 

For  and  a  shrouding  sheet; 

O !  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  be  made 
For  such  a  guest  is  meet." 

[Throws  up  another  skull.'] 

Ham.  There's  another;  why  may  not  that  be 
the  skull  of  a  lawyer?  Where  be  his  quiddities 
now,  his  quillets,  his  cases,  his  tenures,  and  his 
tricks?  why  does  he  suffer  this  rude  knave  now 
to  knock  him  about  the  sconce  with  a  dirty 
shovel,  and  will  not  tell  him  of  his  action  of 
battery  ?  Hum !  This  fellow  might  be  in  's  time 
a  great  buyer  of  land,  with  his  statutes,  his  re- 
cognizances, his  fines,  his  double  vouchers,  his 
recoveries;  is  this  the  fine  of  his  fines,  and  the 
recovery  of  his  recoveries,  to  have  his  fine  pate 
full  of  fine  dirt?  will  his  vouchers  vouch  him  no 
more  of  his  purchases,  and  double  ones  too, 
than  the  length  and  breadth  of  a  pair  of  inden- 
tures? The  very  conveyance  of  his  lands  will 
hardly  lie  in  this  box,  and  must  the  inheritor 
himself  have  no  more,  ha  ?  122 

97  chapless:  lacking  the  lower  jaw         mazzard:  head 

101  loggats;  cf.  n.  107  quiddities:  subtleties 

108  quillets:  minute  distinctions        tenures;  cf.  n.        110  sconce:  head 

111  action  of  battery;  cf.  n. 

113  statutes;  cf.  n.  recognizances;  cf.  n. 

115  fines;  cf.  n.  vouchers;  cf.  n. 

116  recoveries;  cf.  n.         fine:  end 

119  indentures:  mutual  agreements  120  conveyance;  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.i  1M 

Hor.  Not  a  jot  more,  my  lord. 

Ham.  Is  not  parchment  made  of  sheep-skins? 

Hor.  Ay,  my  lord,  and  of  calf-skins,  too.  125 

Ham.  They  are  sheep  and  calves  which  seek 
out  assurance  in  that.  I  will  speak  to  this  fel- 
low.   Whose  grave  's  this,  sir? 

[First]  Clo.  Mine,  sir, 
"O !  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  be  made  130 

For  such  a  guest  is  meet." 

Ham.  I  think  it  be  thine,  indeed;  for  thou 
liest  in  't. 

[First]  Clo.  You  lie  out  on  't,  sir,  and  there- 
fore it  is  not  yours ;  for  my  part,  I  do  not  lie  in  't, 
and  yet  it  is  mine.  136 

Ham.  Thou  dost  lie  in  't,  to  be  in  't  and  say 
it  is  thine:  'tis  for  the  dead,  not  for  the  quick; 
therefore  thou  liest. 

[First]  Clo.  'Tis  a  quick  lie,  sir;  'twill  away 
again,  from  me  to  you. 

Ham.  What  man  dost  thou  dig  it  for?  142 

[First]  Clo.  For  no  man,  sir. 

Ham.  What  woman,  then? 

[First]  Clo.  For  none,  neither. 

Ham.  Who  is  to  be  buried  in  't  ?  146 

[First]  Clo.  One  that  was  a  woman,  sir;  but 
rest  her  soul,  she's  dead. 

Ham.  How  absolute  the  knave  is !  we  must 
speak  by  the  card,  or  equivocation  will  undo  us. 
By  the  Lord,  Horatio,  these  three  years  I  have 
taken  note  of  it;  the  age  is  grown  so  picked 
that  the  toe  of  the  peasant  comes  so  near  the 

127  assurance:  security;  cf.  n.  149  absolute:  precise 

ISO  by  the  card:  with  precision;  cf.  n.  152  picked :  fastidious 


132  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

heel  of  the  courtier,  he  galls  his  hibe.  How  long 
hast  thou  been  a  grave-maker?  155 

[First]  Clo.  Of  all  the  days  i'  the  year,  I  came 
to  't  that  day  that  our  last  King  Hamlet  over- 
came Fortinbras.  158 

Ham.  How  long  is  that  since  ? 

[First]  Clo.  Cannot  you  tell  that?  every  fool 
can  tell  that;  it  was  the  very  day  that  young 
Hamlet  was  born;  he  that  is  mad,  and  sent  into 
England.  163 

Ham.  Ay,  marry;  why  was  he  sent  into 
England? 

[Firsrt]  Clo.  Why,  because  he  was  mad:  he 
shall  recover  his  wits  there;  or,  if  he  do  not,  'tis 
no  great  matter  there.  168 

Ham.  Why? 

[First]  Clo.  'Twill  not  be  seen  in  him  there; 
there  the  men  are  as  mad  as  he.  m 

Ham.  How  came  he  mad? 

[First]  Clo.  Very  strangely,  they  say. 

Ham.  How  strangely?  174 

[First]  Clo.  Faith,  e'en  with  losing  his  wits. 

Ham.  Upon  what  ground? 

[First]  Clo.  Why,  here  in  Denmark;  .1  have 
been  sexton  here,  man  and  boy,  thirty  years.       178 

Ham.  How  long  will  a  man  lie  i'  the  earth 
ere  he  rot? 

[First]  Clo-.  Faith,  if  he  be  not  rotten  before 
he  die, — as  we  have  many  pocky  corses  now-a- 
days,  that  will  scarce  hold  the  laying  in, — he 
will  last  you  some  eight  year  or  nine  year ;  a 
tanner  will  last  you  nine  year. 

Ham.  Why  he  more  than  another?  186 

154  kibe:  chilblain  182  pocky :  diseased 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  i  133 

[First]  Clo.  Why,  sir,  his  hide  is  so  tanned 
with  his  trade  that  he  will  keep  out  water  a  great 
while,  and  your  water  is  a  sore  decayer  of  your 
whoreson  dead  body.  Here's  a  skull  now;  this 
skull  hath  lain  you  i'  the  earth  three-and-twenty 
years.  192 

Ham.  Whose  was  it? 

[First]  Clo.  A  whoreson  mad  fellow's  it  was: 
whose  do  you  think  it  was? 

Ham.  Nay,  I  know  not.  196 

[First]  Clo.  A  pestilence  on  him  for  a  mad 
rogue!  a'  poured  a  flagon  of  Rhenish  on  my 
head  once.  This  same  skull,  sir,  was  Yorick's 
skull,  the  king's  jester. 

Ham.  This! 

[First]  Clo.  E'en  that.  202 

Ham.  Let  me  see. — [Takes  the  skull.] — Alas! 
poor  Yorick.  I  knew  him,  Horatio;  a  fellow  of 
infinite  jest,  of  most  excellent  fancy;  he  hath 
borne  me  on  his  back  a  thousand  times;  and 
now,  how  abhorred  in  my  imagination  it  is !  my 
gorge  rises  at  it.  Here  hung  those  lips  that  I 
have  kissed  I  know  not  how  oft.  Where  be  your 
gibes  now?  your  gambols?  your  songs?  your 
flashes  of  merriment,  that  were  wont  to  set  the 
table  on  a  roar?  Not  one  now,  to  mock  your 
own  grinning?  quite  chapf alien?  Now  get  you 
to  my  lady's  chamber,  and  tell  her,  let  her  paint 
an  inch  thick,  to  this  favour  she  must  come; 
make  her  laugh  at  that.  Prithee,  Horatio,  tell 
me  one  thing. 

Hor.  What's  that,  my  lord?  218 

189  sore:  grievous      190  whoreson:  plagued      215  favour:  appearance 


184  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  Dost  thou  think  Alexander  looked  o' 
this  fashion  i'  the  earth? 

Hor.  E'en  so. 

Ham.  And  smelt  so  ?  pah !  222 

[Puts  down  the  skull.] 

Hor.  E'en  so,  my  lord. 

Ham.  To  what  base  uses  we  may  return, 
Horatio !  Why  may  not  imagination  trace  the 
noble  dust  of  Alexander,  till  he  find  it  stopping 
a  bung-hole?  227 

Hor.  'Twere  to  consider  too  curiously,  to  con- 
sider so. 

Ham.  No,  faith,  not  a  jot;  but  to  follow  him 
thither  with  modesty  enough,  and  likelihood  to 
lead  it;  as  thus:  Alexander  died,  Alexander 
was  buried,  Alexander  returneth  into  dust;  the 
dust  is  earth;  of  earth  we  make  loam,  and  why 
of  that  loam,  whereto  he  was  converted,  might 
they  not  stop  a  beer-barrel? 
"Imperial  Caesar,  dead  and  turn'd  to  clay, 

Might  stop  a  hole  to  keep  the  wind  away:         238 

O !  that  that  earth,  which  kept  the  world  in 
awe, 

Should  patch  a  wall  to  expel  the  winter's  flaw." 
But  soft !  but  soft !  aside :  here  comes  the  king. 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Laertes,  [a  Priest,]  and  a  Coffin, 
tenth  Lords  attendant. 

The  queen,  the  courtiers :  who  is  that  they  follow  ?  242 
And  with  such  maimed  rites?     This  doth  betoken 
The  corse  they  follow  did  with  desperate  hand 
Fordo  it  own  life;  'twas  of  some  estate. 

228  curiously :  minutely  23  i   likelihood:  probability 

240  flaw:  squall  of  wind  245  estate:  rank 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.i  1M 

Couch  we  awhile,  and  mark.  246 

[Retiring  with  HoratioJ] 

Laer.  What  ceremony  else? 

Ham.  That  is  Laertes, 

A  very  noble  youth:  mark. 

Laer.  What  ceremony  else? 

Priest.  Her  obsequies  have  been  as  far  enlarg'd    250 
As  we  have  warrantise:  her  death  was  doubtful, 
And,  but  that  great  command  o'ersways  the  order, 
She  should  in  ground  unsanctified  have  lodg'd 
Till  the  last  trumpet ;  for  charitable  prayers,  254 

Shards,  flints,  and  pebbles  should  be  thrown  on  her; 
Yet  here  she  is  allow'd  her  virgin  crants, 
Her  maiden  strewments,  and  the  bringing  home 
Of  bell  and  burial.  258 

Laer.  Must  there  no  more  be  done? 

Priest.  No  more  be  done: 

We  should  profane  the  service  of  the  dead, 
To  sing  a  requiem,  and  such  rest  to  her 
As  to  peace-parted  souls. 

Laer.  Lay  her  i'  the  earth ;       262 

And  from  her  fair  and  unpolluted  flesh 
May  violets  spring !     I  tell  thee,  churlish  priest, 
A  ministering  angel  shall  my  sister  be, 
When  thou  liest  howling. 

Ham.  What !  the  fair  Ophelia  ?     266 

Queen.  Sweets  to  the  sweet :  farewell ! 

[Scattering  flowers.] 
I  hop'd  thou  shouldst  have  been  my  Hamlet's  wife ; 
I  thought  thy  bride-bed  to  have  deck'd,  sweet  maid, 
And  not  have  strew'd  thy  grave. 

250  enlarg'd:  extended 

251  warrantise:  warrant         doubtful :  suspicious 

255  Shards:  fragments  of  pottery  256  crants:  garlands;  cf.  n. 

257  strewments:  flowers  strewn  on  a  grave 
262  peace-parted :  departed  in  peace 


136  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Laer.  O !  treble  woe     270 

Fall  ten  times  treble  on  that  cursed  head 
Whose  wicked  deed  thy  most  ingenious  sense 
Depriv'd  thee  of.     Hold  off  the  earth  awhile, 
Till  I  have  caught  her  once  more  in  mine  arms. 

Leaps  into  the  grave. 
Now  pile  your  dust  upon  the  quick  and  dead, 
Till  of  this  flat  a  mountain  you  have  made,  276 

To  o'er-top  old  Pelion  or  the  skyish  head 
Of  blue  Olympus. 

Ham.  [Advancing.]  What  is  he  whose  grief 
Bears  such  an  emphasis  ?  whose  phrase  of  sorrow    279 
Conjures  the  wandering  stars,  and  makes  them  stand 
Like  wonder-wounded  hearers  ?  this  is  I, 
Hamlet  the  Dane.  [Leaps  into  the  grave.] 

Laer.  The  devil  take  thy  soul!  282 

[Grapples  with  him.] 

Ham.  Thou  pray'st  not  well. 
I  prithee,  take  thy  fingers  from  my  throat ; 
For  though  I  am  not  splenetive  and  rash 
Yet  have  I  in  me  something  dangerous,  286 

Which  let  thy  wisdom  fear.    Away  thy  hand ! 

King.  Pluck  them  asunder. 

Queen.  Hamlet!  Hamlet! 

All.  Gentlemen, — 

Hor.  Good  my  lord,  be  quiet. 

[The  Attendants  part   them,   and   they   come 

out  of  the  grave.] 

Ham.  Why,    I    will    fight    with    him    upon    this 
theme  290 

Until  my  eyelids  will  no  longer  wag. 

Queen.  O  my  son!  what  theme? 

272  ingenious:  delicately  sensitive  277  Pelion;  cf.  n. 

280  wandering  stars:  planets  285   splenetive:  quick-tempered 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  i  187 

Ham.  I  lov'd  Ophelia:  forty  thousand  brothers 
Could  not,  with  all  their  quantity  of  love,  294 

Make  up  my  sum.    What  wilt  thou  do  for  her  ? 

King.  O !  he  is  mad,  Laertes. 

Queen.  For  love  of  God,  forbear  him. 

Ham.  'Swounds,  show  me  what  thou'lt  do: 
Woo't  weep?  woo't  fight?    [woo't  fast?]   woo't  tear 
thyself  ?  299 

Woo't  drink  up  eisel?  eat  a  crocodile? 
I'll  do  't.    Dost  thou  come  here  to  whine? 
To  outface  me  with  leaping  in  her  grave  ?  302 

Be  buried  quick  with  her,  and  so  will  I : 
And,  if  thou  prate  of  mountains,  let  them  throw 
Millions  of  acres  on  us,  till  our  ground, 
Singeing  his  pate  against  the  burning  zone,  306 

Make  Ossa  like  a  wart !    Nay,  an  thou'lt  mouth, 
I'll  rant  as  well  as  thou. 

Queen.  This  is  mere  madness : 

And  thus  a  while  the  fit  will  work  on  him ; 
Anon,  as  patient  as  the  female  dove,  310 

When  that  her  golden  couplets  are  disclos'd, 
His  silence  will  sit  drooping. 

Ham.  Hear  you,  sir; 

What  is  the  reason  that  you  use  me  thus  ? 
I  lov'd  you  ever:  but  it  is  no  matter;  314 

Let  Hercules  himself  do  what  he  may, 
The  cat  will  mew  and  dog  will  have  his  day.         Exit. 

King.  I  pray  you,  good  Horatio,  wait  upon  him. 

[Exit  Horatio."] 

[To  Laertes.]   Strengthen  your  patience  in  our  last 

night's  speech;  318 

297  forbear:  leave  alone  299  Woo't:  wilt  thou 

300  eisel:  vinegar;  cf.  n.  306  burning  zone :  path  of  the  sun 

308  This  .  .  .  drooping;  cf.  n. 

311  golden  couplets;  cf.  n.  318  in:  in  the  thought  of 


138  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

We'll  put  the  matter  to  the  present  push. 

Good  Gertrude,  set  some  watch  over  your  son. 

This  grave  shall  have  a  living  monument: 

An  hour  of  quiet  shortly  shall  we  see;  322 

Till  then,  in  patience  our  proceeding  be.  Exeunt. 

Scene  Two 

[A  Hall  in  the  Castle] 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Horatio. 

Ham.  So  much  for  this,  sir:  now  shall  you  see  the 
other ; 
You  do  remember  all  the  circumstance? 

Hor.  Remember  it,  my  lord? 

Ham.  Sir,    in    my    heart    there    was    a    kind    of 
fighting  4 

That  would  not  let  me  sleep ;  methought  I  lay 
Worse  than  the  mutines  in  the  bilboes.    Rashly, — 
And  prais'd  be  rashness  for  it,  let  us  know, 
Our  indiscretion  sometimes  serves  us  well  8 

When  our  deep  plots  do  pall ;  and  that  should  teach  us 
There's  a  divinity  that  shapes  our  ends, 
Rough-hew  them  how  we  will. 

Hor.  That  is  most  certain. 

Ham.  Up  from  my  cabin,  12 

My  sea-gown  scarf'd  about  me,  in  the  dark 
Grop'd  I  to  find  out  them,  had  my  desire, 
Finger'd  their  packet,  and  in  fine  withdrew 
To  mine  own  room  again ;  making  so  bold —  16 

My  fears  forgetting  manners — to  unseal 
Their  grand  commission;  where  I  found,  Horatio, 
O  royal  knavery !  an  exact  command, 

319  present  push:  immediate  trial  321  living:  lasting 

6  mutines:  mutineers        bilboes:  shackles  9  pall: /at/ 

13  sea-gown;  cf.  n.  IS  Finger'd:  pilfered 


Prince  of  Denmark ,  V.  ii  139 

Larded  with  many  several  sorts  of  reasons  20 

Importing  Denmark's  health,  and  England's  too, 

With,  ho !  such  bugs  and  goblins  in  my  life, 

That,  on  the  supervise,  no  leisure  bated, 

No,  not  to  stay  the  grinding  of  the  axe,  24 

My  head  should  be  struck  off. 

Hor.  Is  't  possible? 

Ham.  Here's    the    commission:    read    it    at    more 
leisure. 
But  wilt  thou  hear  me  how  I  did  proceed? 

Hor.  I  beseech  you.  28 

Ham.  Being  thus  be-netted  round  with  villainies, — 
Ere  I  could  make  a  prologue  to  my  brains 
They  had  begun  the  play, — I  sat  me  down, 
Devis'd  a  new  commission,  wrote  it  fair;  32 

I  once  did  hold  it,  as  our  statists  do, 
A  baseness  to  write  fair,  and  labour'd  much 
How  to  forget  that  learning ;  but,  sir,  now 
It  did  me  yeoman's  service.    Wilt  thou  know  36 

The  effect  of  what  I  wrote? 

Hor.  Ay,  good  my  lord. 

Ham.  An  earnest  conjuration  from  the  king, 
As  England  was  his  faithful  tributary, 
As  love  between  them  like  the  palm  should  flourish,    40 
As  peace  should  still  her  wheaten  garland  wear, 
And  stand  a  comma  'tween  their  amities, 
And  many  such-like  'As'es  of  great  charge, 
That,  on  the  view  and  knowing  of  these  contents,      44 
Without  debatement  further,  more  or  less, 
He  should  the  bearers  put  to  sudden  death, 
Not  shriving-time  allow'd. 

22  bugs  .  .  .  life;  cf.  n.  23  supervise:  perusal        bated:  deducted 

29  be-netted:  ensnared  30  prologue  .  .  .  play;  cf.  n. 

33  statists:  statesmen       36  yeoman's  service :  good  and  faithful  service 

41  wheaten  garland:  emblem  of  peace 

42  comma:  bond  of  connection;  cf.  n.  43  'As'es;  cf.  n. 
47  shriving-time :  time  for  absolution 


140  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Hor.  How  was  this  seal'd? 

Ham.  Why,  even  in  that  was  heaven  ordinant.      48 
I  had  my  father's  signet  in  my  purse, 
Which  was  the  model  of  that  Danish  seal; 
Folded  the  writ  up  in  form  of  the  other, 
Subscrib'd    it,    gave    't    th'     impression,    plac'd    it 
safely,  52 

The  changeling  never  known.     Now,  the  next  day 
Was  our  sea-fight,  and  what  to  this  was  sequent 
Thou  know'st  already. 

Hor.  So  Guildenstern  and  Rosencrantz  go  to  't.     58 

Ham.  Why,  man,  they  did  make  love  to  this  em- 
ployment ; 
They  are  not  near  my  conscience;  their  defeat 
Does  by  their  own  insinuation  grow. 
'Tis  dangerous  when  the  baser  nature  comes  60 

Between  the  pass  and  fell-incensed  points 
Of  mighty  opposites. 

Hor.  Why,  what  a  king  is  this ! 

Ham.  Does   it  not,   think'st  thee,   stand   me   now 
upon — 
He  that  hath  kill'd  my  king  and  whor'd  my  mother,  64 
Popp'd  in  between  the  election  and  my  hopes, 
Thrown  out  his  angle  for  my  proper  life, 
And  with  such  cozenage — is  't  not  perfect  conscience 
To   quit   him   with   this    arm?    and   is    't   not   to   be 
damn'd  68 

To  let  this  canker  of  our  nature  come 
In  further  evil? 

48  ordinant:  controlling  50  model:  exact  likeness 

52  Subscrib'd:  signed,  or,  addressed  impression:  i.e.,  of  the  seal 

53  changeling:  substitute 

59  insinuation:  artful  intrusion  61  fell-incensed :  cruelly  angered 

62  opposites:  opponents  63  stand  .  .  .  upon:  vitally  concern 

65  election;  cf.  n.         66  angle:  fishing-hook  67  cozenage:  cheating 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  ii  141 

Hor.  It  must  be  shortly  known  to  him  from  Eng- 
land 
What  is  the  issue  of  the  business  there.  72 

Ham.  It  will  be  short:  the  interim  is  mine; 
And  a  man's  life's  no  more  than  to  say  'One.' 
But  I  am  very  sorry,  good  Horatio, 
That  to  Laertes  I  forgot  myself;  76 

For,  by  the  image  of  my  cause,  I  see 
The  portraiture  of  his:  I'll  count  his  favours : 
But,  sure,  the  bravery  of  his  grief  did  put  me 
Into  a  towering  passion. 

Hor.  Peace !  who  comes  here  ?       89 

Enter  young  Osric. 

Osr.  Your  lordship  is  right  welcome  back  to 
Denmark. 

Ham.  I  humbly  thank  you,  sir.  [Aside  to 
Horatio.']     Dost  know  this  water-fly?"  84 

Hoti  [Aside  to  Hamlet.']    No,    my    good    lord. 

Ham.  [Aside  to  Horatio.]  Thy  state  is  the 
more  gracious ;  for  'tis  a  vice  to  know  him.  He 
hath  much  land,  and  fertile:  let  a  beast  be  lord 
of  beasts,  and  his  crib  shall  stand  at  the  king's 
mess:  'tis  a  chough;  but,  as  I  say,  spacious  in 
the  possession  of  dirt.  91 

Osr.  Sweet  lord,  if  your  lordship  were  at 
leisure,  I  should  impart  a  thing  to  you  from  his 
majesty. 

Ham.  I  will  receive  it,  sir,  with  all  diligence 
of  spirit.  Your  bonnet  to  his  right  use;  'tis  for 
the  head.  97 

Osr.  I  thank  your  lordship,  'tis  very  hot. 

78  count:  make  account  of  79  bravery:  ostentatious  display 

84  water-fly;  cf.  n. 

90  mess;  cf.  n.         chough:  small  chattering  bird  (?)  ;  cf.  n. 


142  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Ham.  No,  believe  me,  'tis  very  cold;  the 
wind  is  northerly.  100 

Osr.  It  is  indifferent  cold,  my  lord,  indeed. 

Ham.  But  yet  methinks  it  is  very  sultry  and 
hot  for  my  complexion.  103 

Osr.  Exceedingly,  my  lord;  it  is  very  sultry, 
as  'twere,  I  cannot  tell  how.  But,  my  lord,  his 
majesty  bade  me  signify  to  you  that  he  has  laid 
a  great  wager  on  your  head.  Sir,  this  is  the 
matter, —  10s 

Ham.  I  beseech  you,  remember — 

[Hamlet  moves  him  to  put  on  his  hat.~\ 

Osr.  Nay,  good  my  lord;  for  mine  ease,  in 
good  faith.  [Sir,  here  is  newly  come  to  court 
Laertes ;  believe  me,  an  absolute  gentleman,  full 
of  most  excellent  differences,  of  very  soft  society 
and  great  showing;  indeed,  to  speak  feelingly  of 
him,  he  is  the  card  or  calendar  of  gentry,  for  you 
shall  find  in  him  the  continent  of  what  part  a 
gentleman  would  see.  117 

Ham.  Sir,  his  definement  suffers  no  perdition 
in  you;  though,  I  know,  to  divide  him  invento- 
rially  would  dizzy  the  arithmetic  of  memory,  and 
yet  but  yaw  neither,  in  respect  of  his  quick  sail. 
But,  in  the  verity  of  extolment,  I  take  him  to  be 
a  soul  of  great  article;  and  his  infusion  of  such 
dearth  and  rareness,  as,  to  make  true  diction  of 
him,  his  semblable  is  his  mirror;  and  who  else 
would  trace  him,  his  umbrage,  nothing  more. 

109  remember;  cf.  n. 

110  mine  ease;  cf.  n.  112  absolute:  perfect 
113  differences:  distinguishing  features         soft:  gentle 

115  card:  directory  118  definement:  description        perdition.:  loss 

119  divide  inventorially :  catalogue 

121  yaw:  stagger;  cf.  n.         neither:  too 

123  great  article:  large  scope        infusion:  character  imparted  by  nature 

125  semblable:  like  126  trace:  follow         umbrage :  shadow 


Prince  of  Denmark,,  V.  ii  143 

Osr.  Your  lordship  speaks  most  infallibly  of 
him.  128 

Ham.  The  concernancy,  sir?  why  do  we  wrap 
the  gentleman  in  our  more  rawer  breath? 

Osr.  Sir? 

Hot.  Is  't  not  possible  to  understand  in  an- 
other tongue?    You  will  do  %  sir,  really.  133 

Ham.  What  imports  the  nomination  of  this 
gentleman  ? 

Osr.  Of  Laertes  ?  136 

Hot.  His  purse  is  empty  already;  all  's 
golden  words  are  spent. 

Ham.  Of  him,  sir. 

Osr.  I  know  you  are  not  ignorant —  140 

Ham.  I  would  you  did,  sir;  in  faith,  if  you 
did,  it  would  not  much  approve  me.     Well,  sir.] 

Osr.  You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  excellence 
Laertes  is — 

[Ham.  I  dare  not  confess  that,  lest  I  should 
compare  with  him  in  excellence;  but,  to  know  a 
man  well,  were  to  know  himself.  147 

Osr.  I  mean,  sir,]  for  his  weapon ;  [but  in  the 
imputation  laid  on  him  by  them,  in  his  meed 
he's  unfellowed.] 

Ham.  What's  his  weapon? 

Osr.  Rapier  and  dagger.  152 

Ham.  That's  two  of  his  weapons;  but,  well. 

Osr.  The  king,  sir,  hath  wagered  with  him  six 
Barbary  horses;  against  the  which  he  has  im- 
poned,    as    I    take   it,    six    French    rapiers    and 

129  concernancy:  meaning  130  more  rawer :  too  unskilled 

132  another  tongue;  cf.  n.  134  nomination:  naming 

142  approve  me:  commend  me  146  compare  with:  vie  with 

149  imputation:  reputation  meed:  merit,  worth 

150  unfellowed:  wit hout  an  equal  155  imponed :  staked 


144  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

poniards,  with  their  assigns,  as  girdle,  hangers, 
and  so:  three  of  the  carriages,  in  faith,  are  very 
dear  to  fancy,  very  responsive  to  the  hilts,  most 
delicate  carriages,  and  of  very  liberal  conceit.       160 

Ham.  What  call  you  the  carriages  ? 

[Hor.  I  knew  you  must  be  edified  by  the  mar- 
gent,  ere  you  had  done.] 

Osr.  The  carriages,  sir,  are  the  hangers.  164 

Ham.  The  phrase  would  be  more  german  to 
the  matter,  if  we  could  carry  cannon  by  our 
sides;  I  would  it  might  be  hangers  till  then. 
But,  on;  six  Barbary  horses  against  six  French 
swords,  their  assigns,  and  three  liberal-conceited 
carriages;  that's  the  French  bet  against  the 
Danish.     Why  is  this  'imponed,'  as  you  call  it? 

Osr.  The  king  sir,  hath  laid,  that  in  a  dozen 
passes  between  yourself  and  him,  he  shall  not 
exceed  you  three  hits;  he  hath  laid  on  twelve 
for  nine,  and  it  would  come  to  immediate  trial, 
if  your  lordship  would  vouchsafe  the  answer.       176 

Ham.  How  if  I  answer  no? 

Osr.  I  mean,  my  lord,  the  opposition  of  your 
person  in  trial. 

Ham.  Sir,  I  will  walk  here  in  the  hall;  if  it 
please  his  majesty,  'tis  the  breathing  time  of  day 
with  me;  let  the  foils  be  brought;  the  gentleman 
willing,  and  the  king  hold  his  purpose,  I  will  win 
for  him  an  I  can;  if  not,  I  will  gain  nothing  but 
my  shame  and  the  odd  hits.  1S5 

Osr.  Shall  I  re-deliver  you  so? 

157  assigns:  appurtenances  hangers:  straps  from  which  a  sword  is 
suspended 

158  carriages:  hangers 

159  dear  to  fancy:  unusual  in  design  responsive:  corresponding 

160  delicate :  finely  wrought  liberal  conceit:  tasteful  design 

162  margent :  commentary  165  german:  appropriate 

174  twelve  for  nine;  cf.  n.  181  breathing  time:  exercise  period 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  ii  145 

Ham.  To  this  effect,  sir;  after  what  flourish 
your  nature  will.  188 

Osr.  I  commend  my  duty  to  your  lordship. 

Ham.  Yours,  yours.  [Exit  Osric.']  He  does 
well  to  commend  it  himself;  there  are  no 
tongues  else  for  's  turn.  192 

Hor.  This  lapwing  runs  away  with  the  shell 
on  his  head. 

Ham.  He  did  comply  with  his  dug  before  he 
sucked  it.  Thus  has  he — and  many  more  of  the 
same  bevy,  that  I  know  the  drossy  age  dotes 
on — only  got  the  tune  of  the  time  and  outward 
habit  of  encounter,  a  kind  of  yesty  collection 
which  carries  them  through  and  through  the 
most  fond  and  winnowed  opinions;  and  do  but 
blow  them  to  their  trial,  the  bubbles  are  out.        202 

[Enter  a  Lord. 

Lord.  My  lord,  his  majesty  commended  him 
to  you  by  young  Osric,  who  brings  back  to  him, 
that  you  attend  him  in  the  hall;  he  sends  to 
know  if  your  pleasure  hold  to  play  with  Laertes, 
or  that  you  will  take  longer  time.  207 

Ham.  I  am  constant  to  my  purposes;  they 
follow  the  king's  pleasure:  if  his  fitness  speaks, 
mine  is  ready;  now,  or  whensoever,  provided  I 
be  so  able  as  now. 

Lord.  The  king,  and  queen,  and  all  are  com- 
ing down.  213 

Ham.  In  happy  time. 

193  lapwing:  peewit;  cf.  n. 

197  drossy:  frivolous,  or,  composed  of  dross,  unrefined 

198  tune:  temper,  humor,  mood  199  yesty:  frothy 
201  fond  and  winnowed;  cf.  n. 

214  In  happy  time:  at  an  appropriate  time 


146  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Lord.  The  queen  desires  you  to  use  some 
gentle  entertainment  to  Laertes  before  you  fall 
to  play.  217 

Ham.  She  well  instructs  me.]  [Exit  Lord."] 

Hor.  You  will  lose  this  wager,  my  lord. 

Ham.  I  do  not  think  so;  since  he  went  into 
France,  I  have  been  in  continual  practice;  I 
shall  win  at  the  odds.  But  thou  wouldst  not 
think  how  ill  all  's  here  about  my  heart;  but  it 
is  no  matter.  224 

Hor.  Nay,  good  my  lord, — 

Ham.  It  is  but  foolery;  but  it  is  such  a  kind 
of  gain-giving  as  would  perhaps  trouble  a 
woman.  228 

Hor.  If  your  mind  dislike  any  thing,  obey  it; 
I  will  forestall  their  repair  hither,  and  say  you 
are  not  fit.  231 

Ham.  Not  a  whit,  we  defy  augury;  there's  a 
special  providence  in  the  fall  of  a  sparrow.  If  it 
be  now,  'tis  not  to  come;  if  it  be  not  to  come,  it 
will  be  now;  if  it  be  not  now,  yet  it  will  come: 
the  readiness  is  all.  Since  no  man  has  aught 
of  what  he  leaves,  what  is  't  to  leave  betimes? 
[Let  be.]  238 

Enter  King,  Queen,  Laertes  and  Lords,  with  other 

Attendants  with  foils  and  gauntlets,  a  table  and 

flagons  of  wine  on  it. 
King.  Come,   Hamlet,    come,   and  take  this   hand 

from  me. 

[The  King  puts   the  hand  of  Laertes  into 

that  of  Hamlet.] 
Ham.  Give   me   your   pardon,   sir;    I've   done   you 

wrong ; 

227  gain-giving:  misgiving 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  ii  147 

But  pardon  %  as  you  are  a  gentleman. 

This  presence  knows, 

And  you  must  needs  have  heard,  how  I  am  punish'd 

With  sore  distraction.    What  I  have  done,  244 

That  might  your  nature,  honour  and  exception 

Roughly  awake,  I  here  proclaim  was  madness. 

Was  't  Hamlet  wrong'd  Laertes  ?    Never  Hamlet : 

If  Hamlet  from  himself  be  ta'en  away,  248 

And  when  he's  not  himself  does  wrong  Laertes, 

Then  Hamlet  does  it  not;  Hamlet  denies  it. 

Who  does  it  then  ?    His  madness.    If  't  be  so, 

Hamlet  is  of  the  faction  that  is  wrong'd;  252 

His  madness  is  poor  Hamlet's  enemy. 

Sir,  in  this  audience, 

Let  my  disclaiming  from  a  purpos'd  evil 

Free  me  so  far  in  your  most  generous  thoughts, 

That  I  have  shot  mine  arrow  o'er  the  house,  257 

And  hurt  my  brother. 

Laer.  I  am  satisfied  in  nature, 

Whose  motive,  in  this  case,  should  stir  me  most 
To  my  revenge;  but  in  my  terms  of  honour  260 

I  stand  aloof,  and  will  no  reconcilement, 
Till  by  some  elder  masters,  of  known  honour, 
I  have  a  voice  and  precedent  of  peace, 
To  keep  my  name  ungor'd.    But  till  that  time, 
I  do  receive  your  offer'd  love  like  love,  265 

And  will  not  wrong  it. 

Ham.  I  embrace  it  freely ; 

And  will  this  brother's  wager  frankly  play. 
Give  us  the  foils.    Come  on. 

Laer.  Come,  one  for  me.       268 

Ham.  I'll  be  your  foil,  Laertes;  in  mine  ignorance 

242  presence :  royal  assembly  245  exception :  disapproval 

258  satisfied  in  nature ;  cf.  n.  263  voice:  opinion 

264  ungor'd:  uninjured  269  foil;  cf.  n. 


148  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet 

Your  skill  shall,  like  a  star  i*  the  darkest  night, 
Stick  fiery  off  indeed. 

Laer.  You  mock  me,  sir. 

Ham.  No,  by  this  hand.  272 

King.  Give  them  the  foils,  young  Osric.     Cousin 
Hamlet, 
You  know  the  wager? 

Ham.  Very  well,  my  lord; 

Your  Grace  hath  laid  the  odds  o'  the  weaker  side. 

King.  I  do  not  fear  it ;  I  have  seen  you  both ; 
But  since  he  is  better'd,  we  have  therefore  odds. 

Laer.  This  is  too  heavy;  let  me  see  another. 

Ham.  This  likes  me  well.     These  foils  have  all  a 
length  ? 

Osr.  Ay,  my  good  lord.  280 

Prepare  to  play. 

King.  Set  me  the  stoups  of  wine  upon  that  table. 
If  Hamlet  give  the  first  or  second  hit, 
Or  quit  in  answer  of  the  third,  exchange, 
Let  all  the  battlements  their  ordnance  fire ;  284 

The  king  shall  drink  to  Hamlet's  better  breath ; 
And  in  the  cup  an  union  shall  he  throw, 
Richer  than  that  which  four  successive  kings 
In    Denmark's    crown    have    worn.      Give    me    the 
cups ;  288 

And  let  the  kettle  to  the  trumpet  speak, 
The  trumpet  to  the  cannoneer  without, 
The  cannons  to  the  heavens,  the  heavens  to  earth, 
'Now  the  king  drinks  to  Hamlet !'     Come,  begin ; 
And  you,  the  judges,  bear  a  wary  eye.  293 

Ham.  Come  on,  sir. 

Laer.  Come,  my  lord.       They  play. 

271    Stick  .   .   .   off:  stand  out  in  relief 

283  quit;  cf.  n.  286  union  -.pearl  289  kettle:  kettledrum 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  ii  149 

Ham.  One. 

Laer.  No. 

Ham.  Judgment. 

Osr.  A  hit,  a  very  palpable  hit. 

Laer.  Well;  again. 

King.  Stay;  give  me  drink.     Hamlet,  this  pearl  is 
thine ;  296 

Here's  to  thy  health.    Give  him  the  cup. 

Trumpets  sound;  and  shot  goes  off. 

Ham.  I'll  play  this  bout  first;  set  it  by  awhile. 
Come. — [They  play.]     Another  hit;  what  say  you? 

Laer.  A  touch,  a  touch,  I  do  confess.  300 

King.  Our  son  shall  win. 

Queen.  He's  fat,  and  scant  of  breath. 

Here,  Hamlet,  take  my  napkin,  rub  thy  brows; 
The  queen  carouses  to  thy  fortune,  Hamlet. 

Ham.  Good  madam ! 

King.  Gertrude,  do  not  drink.       304 

Queen.  I  will,  my  lord;  I  pray  you,  pardon  me. 

King.  [Aside.]    It  is  the  poison'd  cup!  it  is  too  late. 

Ham.  I  dare  not  drink  yet,  madam;  by  and  by. 

Queen.  Come,  let  me  wipe  thy  face.  308 

Laer.  My  lord,  I'll  hit  him  now. 

King.  I  do  not  think  't. 

Laer.  [Aside.]   And  yet  'tis  almost  'gainst  my  con- 
science. 

Ham.  Come,    for    the    third,    Laertes.       You    but 
dally; 
I  pray  you,  pass  with  your  best  violence.  312 

I  am  afeard  you  make  a  wanton  of  me. 

Laer.  Say  you  so?  come  on.  [They]  play. 

Osr.  Nothing,  neither  way. 

301   fat:  out  of  training  302  napkin :  handkerchief 

313   wanton:  spoiled  child 


150  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Laer.  Have  at  you  now. 

In  scuffling  they  change  rapiers. 

King.  Part  them !  they  are  incens'd. 

Ham.  Nay,  come,  again.  [The  Queen  falls.] 

Osr.  Look  to  the  queen  there,  ho! 

Hor.  They  bleed  on  both  sides.     How  is  it,  my 
lord? 

Osr.  How  is  it,  Laertes? 

Laer.  Why,  as  a  woodcock  to  mine  own  springe, 
Osric;  320 

I  am  justly  kill'd  with  mine  own  treachery. 

Ham.  How  does  the  queen? 

King.  She   swounds  to  see  them  bleed. 

Queen.  No,  no,  the  drink,  the  drink,  [ — O  my  dear 

Hamlet !  323 

The  drink,  the  drink;]  I  am  poison'd.  [Dies.] 

Ham.  O  villainy  f    Ho !  let  the  door  be  lock'd : 
Treachery!  seek  it  out.  [Laertes  falls.] 

Laer.  It  is  here,  Hamlet.     Hamlet,  thou  art  slain; 
No  medicine  in  the  world  can  do  thee  good ;  328 

In  thee  there  is  not  half  an  hour  of  life; 
The  treacherous  instrument  is  in  thy  hand, 
Unbated  and  envenom'd.     The  foul  practice 
Hath  turn'd  itself  on  me ;  lo !  here  I  lie,  332 

Never  to  rise  again.    Thy  mother's  poison'd. 
I  can  no  more.     The  king,  the  king's  to  blame. 

Ham.  The  point  envenom'd  too ! — 
Then,  venom,  to  thy  work.  Hurts  the  King. 

All.  Treason!  treason!  337 

King.  O !  yet  defend  me,  friends ;  I  am  but  hurt. 

Ham.  Here,   thou  incestuous,  murderous,   damned 
Dane, 
Drink  off  this  potion ; — is  thy  union  here  ?  340 

316  S.  d.  Cf.  n.  322  swounds:  su-oons 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  it  isi 

Follow  my  mother.  King  dies. 

Laer.  He  is  justly  serv'd; 

It  is  a  poison  temper'd  by  himself. 
Exchange  forgiveness  with  me,  noble  Hamlet: 
Mine  and  my  father's  death  come  not  upon  thee, 
Nor  thine  on  me !  Dies. 

Ham.  Heaven   make   thee   free   of  it!      I    follow 
thee.  346 

I  am  dead,  Horatio.    Wretched  queen,  adieu ! 
You  that  look  pale  and  tremble  at  this  chance, 
That  are  but  mutes  or  audience  to  this  act,  349 

Had  I  but  time, — as  this  fell  sergeant,  death, 
Is  strict  in  his  arrest, — O !  I  could  tell  you — 
But  let  it  be.    Horatio,  I  am  dead;  352 

Thou  liv'st ;  report  me  and  my  cause  aright 
To  the  unsatisfied. 

Hor.  Never  believe  it; 

I  am  more  an  antique  Roman  than  a  Dane: 
Here's  yet  some  liquor  left. 

Ham.  As  thou'rt  a  man,     356 

Give  me  the  cup:  let  go;  by  heaven,  I'll  have. 't. 
O  good  Horatio,  what  a  wounded  name, 
Things  standing  thus  unknown,  shall  live  behind  me. 
If  thou  didst  ever  hold,  me  in  thy  heart,  360 

Absent  thee  from  felicity  awhile, 
And  in  this  harsh  world  draw  thy  breath  in  pain, 
To  tell  my  story. 

March  afar  off,  and  shout  within. 
What  war-like  noise  is  this  ? 
Enter  Osric. 

Osr.  Young  Fortinbras,  with  conquest  come  from 
Poland,  364 


342  temper'd:  compounded 
350  sergeant :  sheriff's  officer 


355  Roman;  cf.  n. 


152  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

To  the  ambassadors  of  England  gives 
This  war-like  volley. 

Ham.  O !  I  die,  Horatio ; 

The  potent  poison  quite  o'er-crows  my  spirit: 
I  cannot  live  to  hear  the  news  from  England,  368 

But  I  do  prophesy  the  election  lights 
On  Fortinbras:  he  has  my  dying  voice; 
So  tell  him,  with  the  occurrents,  more  and  less, 
Which  have  solicited — The  rest  is  silence.  Dies. 

Hor.  Now  cracks  a  noble  heart.    Good-night,  sweet 
prince,  373 

And  flights  of  angels  sing  thee  to  thy  rest ! 
Why  does  the  drum  come  hither? 

Enter  Fortinbras,  and  English  Ambassador,  with 
drum,  colours,  and  Attendants. 

Fort.  Where  is  this  sight? 

Hor.  What  is  it  ye  would  see?     376 

If  aught  of  woe  or  wonder,  cease  your  search. 

Fort.  This  quarry  cries  on  havoc.     O  proud  death ! 
What  feast  is  toward  in  thine  eternal  cell, 
That  thou  so  many  princes  at  a  shot  380 

So  bloodily  hast  struck? 

Amb.  The  sight  is  dismal; 

And  our  affairs  from  England  come  too  late: 
The  ears  are  senseless  that  should  give  us  hearing, 
To  tell  him  his  commandment  is  fulfill'd,  384 

That  Rosencrantz  and  Guildenstern  are  dead. 
Where  should  we  have  our  thanks? 

Hor.  Not  from  his  mouth, 

Had  it  the  ability  of  life  to  thank  you:  387 

367  o'er-crows:  overpowers  371   occurrents:  incidents 

372  solicited:  moved;  cf.  n.  374  flights:  troops 

378  quarry :  heap  of  slain  cries  on  havoc:  proclaims  merciless 
slaughter  (?);  cf.  n. 


Prince  of  Denmark,  V.  u  158 

He  never  gave  commandment  for  their  death. 

But  since,  so  jump  upon  this  bloody  question, 

You  from  the  Polack  wars,  and  you  from  England, 

Are  here  arriv'd,  give  order  that  these  bodies 

High  on  a  stage  be  placed  to  the  view;  392 

And  let  me  speak  to  the  yet  unknowing  world 

How  these  things  came  about:  so  shall  you  hear 

Of  carnal,  bloody,  and  unnatural  acts, 

Of  accidental  judgments,  casual  slaughters;  396 

Of  deaths  put  on  by  cunning  and  forc'd  cause, 

And,  in  this  upshot,  purposes  mistook 

Fall'n  on  the  inventors'  heads ;  all  this  can  I 

Truly  deliver. 

Fort.  Let  us  haste  to  hear  it,  400 

And  call  the  noblest  to  the  audience. 
For  me,  with  sorrow  I  embrace  my  fortune ; 
I  have  some  rights  of  memory  in  this  kingdom, 
Which  now  to  claim  my  vantage  doth  invite  me.        404 

Hot.  Of  that  I  shall  have  also  cause  to  speak, 
And  from  his  mouth  whose  voice  will  draw  on  more: 
But  let  this  same  be  presently  perform' d, 
Even  while   men's   minds   are   wild,   lest  more   mis- 
chance 408 
On  plots  and  errors  happen. 

Fort.  Let  four  captains 

Bear  Hamlet,  like  a  soldier,  to  the  stage; 
For  he  was  likely,  had  he  been  put  on, 
To    have    prov'd    most    royally:    and,    for    his    pas- 
sage, 412 
The  soldiers'  music  and  the  rites  of  war 
Speak  loudly  for  him. 

392  stage:  platform  296  casual :  unpremeditated 

397  forc'd:  unreal  403   rights  of  memory:  ancient  claims 

406  draw  on  more:  be  seconded  by  others 
411  been  put  on:  been  put  to  the  proof,  tried 


154  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Take  up  the  bodies:  such  a  sight  as  this 
Becomes  the  field,  but  here  shows  much  amiss. 
Go,  bid  the  soldiers  shoot.  417 

Exeunt  marching,  after  the  which,  a  peal  of 
ordnance  are  shot  off. 


FINIS 


NOTES 

Dramatis  Persons.  A  list  of  characters  was  first 
given  in  the  Quarto  of  1676,  although  it  is  commonly 
stated  that  Rowe's  edition  of  1709  contained  the  first 
list. 

I.  i.  3.  Long  .  .  .  king!  The  pass-word  or  reply 
to  the  sentry's  challenge. 

I.  i.  15.  Friends  .  .  .  Dane.  Probably  the  officers' 
pass-word. 

I.  i.  19.  piece.  A  humorous  expression  equivalent 
to  'something  like  him,'  or  possibly  Horatio  means 
to  imply  that,  because  of  his  skepticism,  he  is  with 
them  in  bodily  form  but  not  in  intellectual  sympathy. 
(Chambers.) 

I.  i.  37.  his.  Regularly  used  for  'its.'  The  latter 
form  had  not  yet  come  into  common  use. 

I.  i.  42.  scholar.  Exorcisms  of  evil  spirits  were 
performed  in  Latin  and  hence  by  scholars. 

I.  i.  45.  It  .  .  .  to.  It  was  believed  that  a  ghost 
could  not  speak  until  spoken  to. 

I.  i.  63.  sledded  Polacks.  Various  suggestions  have 
been  made  concerning  the  meaning  of  these  words  for 
the  reason  that  the  second  Quarto  and  first  Folio  have 
'sleaded  (Fl  sledded)  pollax'  which  conceivably  could 
mean  a  poleaxe  weighted  with  a  sledge  or  hammer  at 
the  back.  When,  however,  later  references  in  the 
play  to  Polacks  are  taken  into  consideration,  the 
meaning  given  in  the  gloss  seems  the  more  probable. 

I.  i.  70.  Good  noxv.  Inter jectional  expression 
denoting  entreaty. 

I.  i.  87.  law  and  heraldry.  The  forms  of  both  the 
common  law  and  the  law  of  arms  having  been  duly 


1 56  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

observed.  The  latter  would  give  the  compact  binding 
force  in  honor.  Nobles  who  signed  binding  agree- 
ments were  wont  to  have  their  coats  of  arms  added 
to  their  signatures. 

I.  i.  96.  unimproved.  Other  conjectures  are:  'not 
turned  to  account,'  'untutored,'  'undisciplined.' 

I.  i.  98.  list.  Literally,  a  special  catalogue  of  the 
soldiers  of  a  force;  here  used  in  the  sense  of  an  indis- 
criminately chosen  crowd. 

I.  i.  99.  For  .  .  .  diet.  For  no  pay  but  their 
keep.  (Moberly.)  Perhaps,  however,  the  meaning  is 
'as  food  and  diet  to  keep  the  enterprise  going.' 

I.  i.  100.  stomach.  I.e.,  gives  an  opportunity  for 
courage.    With  a  quibble  on  the  literal  meaning. 

I.  i.  117.  As  .  .  .  blood.  The  abruptness  of  the 
transition  in  the  sense  has  led  some  commentators  to 
believe  either  (1)  that  there  is  a  line  missing,  or 
(2)  that  11.  121-125  should  be  inserted  between  11.  116 
and  117.  Attempts  have  also  been  made  to  emend 
the  text  by  adding  a  conjectural  line. 

I.  i.  118.  Disasters.  In  North's  Plutarch,  Julius 
Caesar,  whence  Shakespeare  drew  his  account  of  the 
strange  omens  preceding  Caesar's  assassination,  the 
sun  was  said  to  be  darkened. 

I.  i.  120.  sick  .  .  .  doomsday.  A  reference  to  the 
Biblical  account  of  the  events  to  occur  at  the  second 
coming  of  the  Son  of  Man.  Cf.  Matthew  24.  29  and 
Revelation  6.  12. 

I.  i.  125.  climatures.  Possibly  used  for  those  who 
live  under  the  same  climate.     (Clarendon.) 

I.  i.  127.  cross.  The  usual  interpretation  has  been 
to  accept  this  as  meaning  crossing  the  spot  where  an 
apparition  had  appeared,  and  thus  subjecting  Horatio, 
according  to  traditional  ghost-lore,  to  the  spectre's 
malignant  influence.  This  explanation  is  rejected  by 
Onions,  who  gives  the  reading  of  the  gloss. 

I.   i.    136.       uphoarded.       If  while   alive  a  person 


Prince  of  Denmark  157 

had  hidden  gold  and  placed  it  under  a  charm,  it  was 
necessary,  for  his  soul's  quiet,  to  release  it  from  the 
spell.  (Illustrated  by  Steevens  from  Dekker's 
Knight's  Conjuring.) 

I.  i.  140.  partisan.  A  long-handled  spear  with  a 
blade  having  one  or  more  lateral  cutting  projections. 

I.  i.  150.  cock.  It  was  a  tradition  that  at  cock- 
crow spirits  returned  to  their  confines. 

I.  i.  162.  planets  strike.  The  malignant  aspects 
of  planets,  according  to  the  pseudo-science  of  astrol- 
ogy, were  supposed  to  be  able  to  injure  incautious 
travellers  by  night. 

I.  ii.  65.  kin  .  .  .  kind.  I.e.,  more  than  his  actual 
kinship  and  less  than  a  natural  relation.  'Kind'  is 
here  used  equivocally  for  'natural'  and  also  for 
'affectionate.'  A  proverbial  expression  occurring  else- 
where in  Elizabethan  literature. 

I.  ii.  67.  i'  the  sun.  Probably  Hamlet  means  he 
is  too  much  in  the  unwelcome  sunshine  of  the  King's 
favor.  The  reply  is  purposely  enigmatical.  There 
is  a  quibble  on  'sun'  and  'son.' 

I.  ii.  113.  Wittenberg.  A  famous  German  univer- 
sity, founded  in  1502. 

I.  ii.  140.  Hyperion.  The  Titanic  sun  god,  but 
here  used  for  Apollo. 

I.  ii.  149.  Niobe.  A  daughter  of  Tantalus,  who 
boasted  that  she  had  more  sons  and  daughters  than 
Leto.  Consequently  Apollo  and  Artemis  slew  her 
children  with  arrows,  and  she  herself  was  turned  by 
Zeus  into  a  stone  upon  Mount  Sipylus  in  Lydia,  where 
she  shed  tears  all  the  summer  long. 

I.  ii.  161.  forget  myself.  I.e.,  or  I  have  lost  the 
knowledge  even  of  myself. 

I.  ii.  180.  bak'd  meats.  It  was  an  old  custom  to 
have  a  feast  as  part  of  the  funeral  ceremonies. 

I.  ii.  198.  vast.  It  here  means  emptiness,  the  time 
when  no  living  thing  was  seen. 


1 5  8  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

I.  iii.  7.  violet.  Early  violets  were  proverbial 
examples  of  transitory  things. 

I.  iii.  26.  place.  The  reading  of  the  first  Folio  is 
'peculiar  Sect  and  force.' 

I.  iii.  53.  double.  I.e.,  because  Laertes  had  al- 
ready taken  leave  of  his  father. 

I.  iii.  56.  wind  .  .  .  of.  Wind  blowing  from  a 
stern  quarter,  hence  'behind,'  'favorable.' 

I.  iii.  58.  precepts.  Many  parallels  for  several  of 
these  precepts  have  been  discovered. 

I.  iii.  74.  Are  .  .  .  that.  Various  conjectures  have 
been  suggested:  'are  most  select  and  generous  in  that' 
(White) ;  'select  and  generous,  are  most  choice  in 
that'  (Steevens) ;  'are  most  select  and  generous, 
chiefly  in  that.'  The  emendation  of  the  text  here 
followed  is  that  commonly  accepted. 

I.  iii.  99.  tenders.  Polonius,  in  1.  106,  uses  'ten- 
ders' in  the  sense  of  promises  to  pay,  which,  as  he 
says,  are  not  'legal  currency.' 

I.  iii.  115.  woodcocks.  The  woodcock  was  sup- 
posed to  be  a  witless  bird  easily  snared. 

I.  iv.  36.  dram  of  eale.  Possibly  'eale'  is  a  cor- 
ruption of  'e'il,'  the  contracted  form  of  'evil.'  The 
rest  of  the  passage  is  equally  uncertain.  The  Cam- 
bridge Shakespeare  records  about  forty  conjectures. 
Dowden's  conjecture  seems  to  come  nearest  to  the 
sense  of  the  passage;  'out  of  a  mere  doubt  or  sus- 
picion the  dram  of  evil  degrades  in  reputation  all  the 
noble  substance  to  its  own  [substance].' 

I.  iv.  83.  Nemean  lion's.  One  of  the  powerful 
monsters  slain  by  Hercules. 

I.  v.  21.  blazon.  Literally,  to  portray  armorial 
bearings  in  their  proper  colors. 

I.  v.  32.  fat  weed.  It  has  been  suggested  that 
Shakespeare  meant  by  this  the  asphodel  referred  to 
by  Lucian  in  connection  with  Lethe.  However,  there 
is  a  reference  in  Seneca's  Hercules  Furens  to  the 
Taxus  tree  overleaning  the  quiet  lake  of  Lethe.     This 


Prince  of  Denmark  !59 

is  the  Latin  name  for  the  yew  tree,  which  exudes  a 
resinous  substance  from  its  leaves.  It  could,  there- 
fore, be  described  as  a  'fat  weed.' 

I.  v.  33.  Lethe.  A  river  (sometimes  called  a  lake) 
of  the  Greek  underworld,  whose  waters  gave  forget- 
fulness  of  the  past  to  those  who  drank  of  them. 

I.  v.  67.  gates  and  alleys.  Shakespeare  here  im- 
plies as  much  as  was  then  known  touching  the  circu- 
lation of  the  blood.     (Hudson.) 

I.  v.  80.  horrible.  The  tradition  of  the  stage 
assigns  this  line  to  Hamlet.  It  was  so  spoken  by, 
among  others,  Garrick,  Kemble,  and  Irving.  Better- 
ton  probably  omitted  it,  for  it  is  marked  for  omission 
in  the  Quarto  of  1676. 

I.  v.  136.  Saint  Patrick.  He  was  the  keeper  of 
purgatory;  the  patron  saint  of  all  blunders  and  con- 
fusion (Moberly)  ;  he  banished  serpents  from  Ireland, 
hence  he  was  the  proper  saint  to  take  cognizance  of 
the  report  that  a  serpent  stung  Hamlet's  father. 
(Dowden.)  If  Hamlet's  oath  requires  any  explana- 
tion, the  first  surmise  appears  the  more  probable. 

I.  v.  138.  honest  ghost.  I.e.,  an  actual  ghost,  and 
not  the  devil  or  an  evil  spirit  in  disguise.  Cf .  Hamlet's 
doubt  upon  this  point  later. 

I.  v.  154.  sword.  It  was  customary  to  swear  upon 
the  sword,  because  the  hilt  made  the  form  of  the 
cross.  Such  an  oath  was  binding  both  in  military 
honor  and  in  religion. 

I.  v.  167.  your.  Does  not  mean  Horatio's  phi- 
losophy, but  refers  to  philosophy  in  general. 

II.  i.  35.  Of  general  assault.  Chambers  plausibly 
suggests  that  the  meaning  may  be  'a  passionate  desire 
to  assail  all  kinds  of  experience.' 

II.  i.  119.  More  .  .  .  love.  The  line  is  obscure, 
but  Hudson  paraphrases  it  as  follows:  'By  keeping 
Hamlet's  love  secret  we  may  cause  more  of  grief  to 
others  than  of  hatred  on  his  part  by  disclosing  it.' 


160  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

II.  ii.  79.  regards  .  .  .  allowance.  I.e.,  terms 
securing  the  safety  of  the  country  and  regulating  the 
passage  of  troops  through  it.     (Clarendon.) 

II.  ii.  123.  machine.  Such  endings  were  not  un- 
common in  Euphuistic  letters. 

II.  ii.  174.  -fishmonger.  The  word  is  probably 
used  here  in  some  cant  coarse  sense,  such  as  'wencher' 
or  'seller  of  women's  chastity.' 

II.  ii.  184.  good  kissing.  I.e.,  carrion  fit  for  kiss- 
ing by  the  sun.  Warburton  suggested  the  emendation 
'God  kissing  carrion'  but  there  appears  no  necessity 
for  accepting  this. 

II.  ii.  187.  conception.  There  is  a  quibble  here 
on  conception  as  'understanding'  and  as  'the  state 
of  being  pregnant.' 

II.  ii.  198.  Between  who?  Hamlet  deliberately 
misunderstands  'matter'  to  mean  a  cause  of  dispute. 

II.  ii.  204.  amber  .  .  .  gum.  I.e.,  in  reference  to 
the  exudings  from  the  weak  eyes  of  old  men. 

II.  ii.  237.  on  .  .  .  button.  I.e.,  we  have  not 
reached  the  summit  of  good  fortune. 

II.  ii.  244.  strumpet.  I.e.,  because  of  Fortune's 
fickleness. 

II.  ii.  274.  beggars  bodies.  I.e.,  if  ambition  is  but 
a  shadow,  then  monarchs  and  heroes,  who  have  at- 
tained ambition,  are  in  possession  only  of  a  shadow; 
whereas  beggars,  who  have  not  attained  ambition,  at 
least  possess  something  material — i.e.,  their  bodies. 
But  every  beggar  may  long  for  ambition — a  shadow — 
and  hence  the  monarchs  and  heroes  who  are  in  pos- 
session of  their  ambitions,  are  but  the  beggars'  shad- 
ows— i.e.,  have  this  shadow  for  which  the  beggar  longs 
in  vain. 

II.  ii.  288.  dear  a  halfpenny.  Too  dear  at  a  half- 
penny, of  insignificant  value. 

II.  ii.  328.  quintessence.  A  term  in  alchemy.  The 
fifth  essence  of  ancient  and  mediaeval  philosophy,  sup- 
posed to  be  the  substance  of  which  the  heavenly  bodies 


Prince  of  Denmark  161 

were  composed,  and  to  be  actually  latent  in  all  things : 
hence,  pure  essence  or  extract,  essential  part  of  a 
thing.     (Murray.) 

II.  ii.  346.  tickle  o'  the  sere.  Literally,  the  'sere' 
is  the  catch  of  a  gunlock  that  holds  the  hammer. 
Hence  a  trigger  that  goes  off  at  a  light  touch.  (Nich- 
olson.) 

II.  ii.  356.  innovation.  This  speech  does  not  ap- 
pear in  the  Quarto  of  1603  but  does  in  the  Quarto  of 
1604.  There  are  two  conjectures  as  to  the  meaning: 
(1)  On  January  30,  1603-4,  a  license  was  granted  to 
the  children  of  the  Revels  to  play  at  the  Blackfriars 
Theatre  and  elsewhere;  (2)  or,  it  refers  to  the  custom 
of  introducing  personal  abuse  into  plays.  Either 
might  be  described  as  an  'innovation.' 

II.  ii.  362.  aery.  This  refers  to  the  young  choris- 
ters of  the  Chapel  Royal  [and  of  St.  Paul's]  who 
acted  plays. 

II.  ii.  363.  cry  .  .  .  question.  This  is  also  inter- 
preted as  meaning  'exclaim  against  (lampoon)  those 
who  are  at  the  top  of  their  profession,  (or,  the  best 
productions  of  the  dramatic  pen).' 

II.  ii.  386.  Hercules  and  his  load.  The  reference 
may  be  to  the  sign  of  the  Globe  Theatre  which  repre- 
sented Hercules  carrying  the  globe.  The  sign  itself 
was  an  allusion  to  the  story  of  Hercules  relieving 
Atlas. 

II.  ii.  407.  handsaw.  The  phrase  is  proverbial. 
It  has  been  conjectured  that  handsaw  is  a  corruption 
of  'her(o)nsew,'  'her(o)nshaw' — a  heron  or  hern.  It 
is  probable,  however,  that  Hamlet  uses  the  corrupted 
form  in  its  derived  sense  of  being  able  to  recognize 
two  dissimilar  objects. 

II.  ii.  419.  Roscius.  A  famous  Roman  actor  whose 
intellectual  capacities  lifted  him  above  the  stigma 
usually  attached  to  his  profession. 

II.  ii.  427.  scene  individable.  Probably  a  play 
which  follows  the  classical  rules  relating  to  the  three 


162  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

unities  of  time,  place,  and  action — hence  usually  a 
tragedy.    Cf.  note  on  Seneca  below. 

II.  ii.  428.  poem  unlimited.  Probably  a  play 
which  disregarded  the  unities;  or,  a  comedy  in  which 
unlimited  license  was  used  in  treating  the  material. 
Cf.  note  on  Plautus  below. 

II.  ii.  428.  Seneca.  A  Roman  rhetorical  writer 
of  tragedies  whose  plays  were  during  the  Renaissance 
considered  models  of  classic  technique.  See  Appen- 
dix A  for  notes  on  Senecan  influence  in  Hamlet. 

II.  ii.  429.  Plautus.  A  Roman  comic  dramatist 
who  was  the  model  for  comedy  technique  during  the 
Renaissance.     Cf.  The  Comedy  of  Errors. 

II.  ii.  429.  law  of  writ  and  the  liberty.  There  are 
two  conjectures  as  to  the  meaning:  (1)  'law  of  writ,' 
plays  written  according  to  the  classical  rules ;  and 
'liberty,'  plays  which  do  not  follow  these  rules; 
(2)  adhering  to  the  text,  hence,  'law  of  writ'; 
'liberty,'  plays  in  which  the  dialogue  was  extem- 
porized by  the  actors,  as  in  the  Italian  commedia 
delV  arte.  This  editor  believes  'law  of  writ'  to  refer 
to  'tragedy,'  (cf.  scene  individable)  ;  'liberty'  to  refer 
t^  'comedy,'  (cf.  poem  unlimited). 

II.  ii.  431.  Jephthah.  There  were  several  old 
ballads  on  this  subject.  Cf.  Percy's  Reliques,  2d. 
ed.,  1757,  for  a  copy  of  one  of  the  ballads. 

II.  ii.  457.  Cracked  .  .  .  ring.  Having  the  circle 
broken  that  surrounds  the  sovereign's  head  on  a  coin. 
Here  used  quibblingly  for  a  voice  that  has  changed 
and  hence  is  'cracked'  in  its  'ring'  or  purity  of  tone. 
It  is,  of  course,  a  boy  actor  of  women's  parts  that 
Hamlet  is  addressing. 

II.  ii.  466.  Caviare  .  .  .  general.  I.e.,  a  delicacy 
for  which  the  general  public  has  no  relish. 

II.  ii.  469.  digested.  Cf.  the  Prologue  to  Troilus 
and  Cressida,  23-29. 

II.  ii.  471.  no  sallets  .  .  .  savoury.  No  ribaldry 
to  spice  the  lines. 


Prince  of  Denmark  163 

II.  ii.  475.  handsome.  I.e.,  its  beauty  was  not 
that  of  elaborate  diction  or  polish,  but  that  of 
structure  and  proportion. 

II.  ii.  477.  Mneas'  tale  to  Dido.  The  passage  in- 
serted here  should  be  compared  with  Marlowe  and 
Nash's  Dido,  Queen  of  Carthage  (1594),  II.  1.  214  ff. 
It  is  a  matter  of  critical  dispute  whether  Shakespeare 
intended  this  passage  as  burlesque  or  whether  he 
selected  deliberately  the  earlier  turgid  romantic  style 
to  contrast  with  his  more  realistic  dramatic  method 
in  this  scene.     The  latter  seems  the  more  probable. 

II.  ii.  481.  Hyrcanian  beast.  The  tiger.  So  de- 
scribed by  Virgil.     Cf.  Mneid,  IV.  366. 

II.  ii.  485.  ominous  horse.  The  wooden  horse  in 
which  the  Greeks  lay  hidden  until  the  Trojans 
dragged  it  within  the  walls. 

II.  ii.  532.    Hecuba.    The  wife  of  Priam. 

II.  ii.  533.  mobled.  The  first  Folio  has  'inobled,' 
which  is  probably  a  misprint.  'Mobled'  is  a  debased 
foTm  of  'muffled.'  It  is  clearly  Shakespeare's  inten- 
tion to  make  use  of  an  unusual  word  here,  as  may  be 
seen  by  Hamlet's  query  and  Polonius'  approval. 

II.  ii.  561.  God's  bodikins.  A  corruption  of  an 
oath  'by  God's  body.' 

II.  ii.  573.  dozen  or  sixteen  lines.  There  has  been 
much  discussion  concerning  the  possibility  of  identify- 
ing the  passage  written  by  Hamlet.  Chambers 
(Warwick  Shakespeare)  suggests  Lucianus'  speech, 
III.  ii.  270  ff.,  which  is  interrupted  by  the  King's 
rising.  Others  point  to  the  Player  King's  speech, 
III.  ii.  198  ff.,  because  its  philosophy  is  characteristic 
of  Hamlet.  The  question  is  not  one  to  which  an 
authoritative  answer  can  be  given. 

II.  ii.  595.  cue.  A  technical  stage  term  for  the 
last  words  of  an  actor's  line  to  which  another  actor 
replied. 

II.  ii.  603.  J ohn-a-dreams .  Armin's  Nest  of  Nin- 
nies (1608)  contains  the  following  definition:     "His 


161  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

name  is  Iohne,  indeede,  saies  the  cinick;  but  neither 
Iohn-a-nods,  nor  Iohn-a-dreames,  yet  either  as  you 
take  Itt." 

II.  ii.  605.  property.  His  crown,  his  wife,  every- 
thing, in  short,  which  he  might  be  said  to  be  pos- 
sessed of,  except  his  life.     (Furness.) 

II.  ii.  613.  pigeon-liver' d.  It  was  believed  that 
pigeons  were  gentle  because  they  had  no  gall. 

III.  i.  59.  take  .  .  .  troubles.  Many  commenta- 
tors have  felt  that  this  line  contains  a  badly  mixed 
metaphor  and  consequently  have  suggested  various 
unnecessary  emendations.  The  phrase  'sea  of 
troubles,'  in  the  sense  of  a  'mass  of  troubles,'  however, 
occurs  elsewhere  in  Elizabethan  literature.  Cf. 
Greene's  Mamillia,  ed.  Grosart,  vol.  II.,  p.  18; 
"hauing  himself  escaped  the  seas  of  trouble  and  care," 
and  Dekker's  The  Wonder  of  a  Kingdome,  ed.  1878, 
vol.  IV.,  p.  230: 

I  never  heard  mongst  all  your  Romane  spirits, 
That  any  held  so  bravely  up  his  head, 
In  such  a  sea  of  troubles  (that  come  rouling 
One  on  anothers  necke)  as  Lotti  doth. 

III.  i.  153.  nickname.  I.e.,  by  painting  your  face 
and  by  your  fashionable  affectations  you  turn  human 
beings  (God's  creatures)  into  figures  that  bear  the 
same  resemblance  to  reality  that  a  nickname  does  to 
a  Christian  name.  Or  possibly  this  is  an  allusion  to 
the  Elizabethan  court  fashion  of  giving  animal  names 
to  the  various  courtiers. 

III.  ii.  12.  groundlings.  The  inferior  portion  of 
the  audience  who  paid  a  penny  for  standing  room  in 
the  yard  or  pit. 

III.  ii.  14.  inexplicable  dumb-shows.  Pantomimes 
illustrating  the  subsequent  action  of  the  play,  often 
so  crudely  performed  that  they  were  'inexplicable.' 

III.  ii.  16.     Termagant.     A  noisy  character  repre- 


Prince  of  Denmark  165 

senting  a  supposed  god  of  the  Saracens  in  some  of  the 
mystery  plays. 

III.  ii.  16.  out-herods.  I.e.,  outdoes  even  the  ex- 
travagant acting  of  the  character  of  Herod  in  the 
mystery  plays.  Cf.  the  stage  direction  in  the  Coventry 
play  of  The  Nativity,  "Here  Erode  ragis  in  the 
pagond,  and  in  the  strete  also." 

III.  ii.  45.  there  be  of  them,  etc.  Examples  of 
gags  and  stage  business  introduced  by  clowns  are 
found  in  The  Pilgrimage  to  Parnassus,  V: 

"if  thou  canst  but  drawe  thy  mouth  awrye,  laye 
thy  legg  over  thy  staffe,  sawe  a  piece  of  cheese 
asunder  with  thy  dagger,  lape  up  drinke  on  the  earth, 
I  warrant  thee  theile  laughe  mightilie." 

III.  ii.  89.  Vulcan.  He  was  the  armorer  of  the 
gods. 

III.  ii.  95.  be  idle.  This  may  have  its  usual  mean- 
ings of  'purposeless,'  'intent  upon  nothing  in  particu- 
lar.' So  in  King  Lear,  I.  iii.  17.  However,  in  Hall's 
Chronicles,  the  phrase  'ydle  and  weak  in  his  wit' 
occurs. 

III.  ii.  98.  chameleon's  dish.  It  was  believed  that 
chameleons  fed  on  air. 

III.  ii.  109.  Julius  C&sar.  The  universities  gave 
many  representations  within  their  walls  of  plays  in 
Latin  and  English.  A  Latin  play  on  Caesar's  death 
was  acted  at  Christ  Church,  Oxford,  in  1582.  Cf. 
also  the  title-page  of  the  1603  Quarto  of  Hamlet. 

III.  ii.  110.  Capitol.  The  murder  of  Caesar 
actually  took  place  in  the  Theatre  of  Pompey,  which 
stood  in  the  Campus  Martius.  Shakespeare  transfers 
the  scene  to  the  Capitol  both  in  Julius  Cxsar  and  in 
Antony  and  Cleopatra. 

III.  ii.  144.  hobby-horse.  In  the  morris  dance,  a 
figure  of  a  horse  made  of  light  material  and  fastened 
around  the  waist  of  a  performer,  who  went  through 
various  antics.     The  quotation  here  may  be  from  a 


166  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

ballad  perhaps  satirizing  Puritan  opposition  to  May^ 
games. 

III.  ii.  146.  S.  d.  The  dumb-show  enters.  In 
Gorboduc  and  many  early  plays  a  'dumb-show'  was 
introduced  to  give  a  pantomimic  representation  or 
suggestion  of  the  action  that  was  to  follow. 

III.  ii.  148.  miching  mallecho.  Mallecho  is  from 
the  Spanish  malhecho,  meaning  'mischief.' 

III.  ii.  168.  Tellus'.  The  goddess  of  the  earth, 
who  received  and  nourished  the  sown  seed. 

III.  ii.  229.  sport  and  repose.  Here  the  objects 
of  the  verb. 

III.  ii.  252.  duke's  name.  In  the  first  Quarto  the 
leading  characters  are  called  Duke  and  Duchess.  In 
the  second  Quarto  and  the  First  Folio,  except  for  this 
line,  they  are  always  King  and  Queen.  In  revising 
his  play,  Shakespeare  overlooked  this  instance. 

III.  ii.  260.  interpret.  At  'puppet  shows'  or 
'motions'  the  dialogue  was  spoken  by  a  person  con- 
cealed behind  the  stage.  This  was  called  'interpret- 
ing.' 

III.  ii.  268.  The  croaJcing  .  .  .  revenge.  Cf.  The 
True  Tragedie  of  Richard  the  Third  (p.  61,  Shake. 
Soc.  reprint)  : 

The  screeking  raven  sits  croking  for  revenge, 
Whole  herds  of  beasts  come  bellowing  for  revenge. 

III.  ii.  273.  Hecate.  Diana,  in  her  aspect  as  in- 
fernal goddess,  was  regarded  as  the  queen  of  witches. 

III.  ii.  282.    false  fire.    A  proverbial  expression. 

III.  ii.  287.  deer  go  weep.  It  was  a  popular  belief 
that  the  deer,  when  badly  wounded,  retires  from  the 
herd  and  goes  apart  to  weep  and  die. 

III.  ii.  293.  Provincial  roses.  So  called  either 
from  Provence,  or  from  Provins,  the  latter  a  town 
forty  miles  from  Paris. 

III.  ii.  294.  cry.  Literally,  a  pack  of  hounds — 
here,  troop  or  company. 


Prince  of  Denmark  167 

III.  ii.  295.  share.  Theatrical  companies  were 
organized  on  a  profit-sharing  basis. 

III.  ii.  297.  Damon.  An  allusion  to  the  classical 
story  of  the  friendship  of  Damon  and  Pythias  (or 
Phintias). 

III.  ii.  300.  pa  jock.  Various  conjectures,  but  in 
Scotland  a  peacock  is  often  called  a  "peajock." 
Skeat,  however,  derives  'pajock'  from  'patch,'  a  'pied 
fool.'     Spenser  calls  a  ragamuffin  a  'patchocke.' 

III.  ii.  317.  distempered.  This  word  was  used 
both  of  mental  and  of  bodily  disorder.  Hamlet  pre- 
tends to  understand  it  in  the  latter  sense. 

III.  ii.  320.  choler.  The  other  meaning  of 
'choler'  is  bilious  disorder,  and  so  again  Hamlet  pre- 
tends to  misunderstand  it. 

III.  ii.  323.  purgation.  Another  word  of  double 
meaning:  (1)  clearing  from  the  accusation  or  suspi- 
cion of  guilt;  (2)  purging  in  the  medical  sense. 

III.  ii.  355.  pickers  and  stealers.  An  allusion  to 
the  phrase  in  the  Catechism,  "Keep  my  hands  from 
picking,  and  stealing." 

III.  ii.  365.  'While  .  .  .  grows.'  A  proverb  of 
frequent  occurrence.  Cf .  Heywood's  Proverbs  "while 
the  grass  groweth  the  horse  sterveth,"  and  Whet- 
stone's Promos  and  Cassandra  (1578),  "Whylst  grass 
doth  growe,  oft  sterves  the  seely  steede." 

III.  ii.  368.  recover  the  wind  of.  A  hunting  term, 
meaning,  keep  watch  upon  (as  upon  the  game,  when 
following  it  down  the  wind). 

III.  ii.  395.  fret.  Frets  are  stops  of  instruments 
of  the  lute  or  guitar  kind.  Hamlet  also  uses  it 
quibblingly  to  mean  'annoy.' 

III.  ii.  409.  bent.  An  expression  derived  from 
archery;  the  bow  has  its  'bent'  when  it  is  drawn  as 
far  as  it  can  be. 

III.  ii.  419.  Nero.  He  murdered  his  mother, 
Agrippina. 


III.  iii. 

37. 

Genesis  4. 

2. 

III.  iii. 

61. 

law. 

III.  iii. 

80. 

III.  iv. 

67. 

168  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

primal.       The   curse   of   Cain.      Cf. 

lies.     Is  sustainable,  as  an  action  at 

full  of  bread.     Cf.  Ezekiel  16.  49. 
moor.    With  a  quibble  upon  the  mean- 
ing 'swarthy  complexioned.' 

III.  iv.  98.  vice.  The  Vice  was  a  stock  character 
in  the  Moralities.  Although  personifying  the  weaker 
side  of  human  nature,  he  was  represented  as  a  buffoon 
and  supplied  much  of  the  comic  element  in  these 
plays. 

III.  iv.  102.  shreds  and  patches.  The  usual  inter- 
pretation is  to  assume  that  this  refers  to  the  motley 
dress  of  the  Vice  (cf.  'patch'  =  a  'pied  fool'),  but  it 
may  conceivably  refer  to  the  subjects  the  King  rules, 
although  no  commentator  gives  authority  for  this 
assumption. 

III.  iv.  169.  master.  A  word  has  dropped  out  of 
the  earlier  texts,  and  the  present  emendation  'master' 
is  derived  from  the  fourth  Folio. 

III.  iv.  207.  go  hard  But.  Introduces  a  statement 
of  what  will  happen  unless  overwhelming  difficulties 
prevent  it. 

IV.  i.  40.    so,  haply,  slander.    Added  by  Capell. 
IV.    ii.    29.      The  .  .  .  body.      A    passage    about 

which  there  have  been  many  conjectures.  If  Hamlet 
is  not  designedly  talking  mere  nonsense,  a  possible 
interpretation  is:  "The  King  is  still  alive  (i.e.,  with 
his  body),  but  he  is  not  with  the  dead  body  (i.e.,  of 
Polonius)." 

IV.  iii.  21.  convocation.  The  commentators  main- 
tain that  this  is  an  allusion  to  the  famous  Diet  or 
convocation  of  the  dignitaries  of  the  German  Empire 
held  at  Worms  in  1521.  It  was  before  this  Diet  that 
Martin  Luther  was  summoned  to  appear.  There  is 
no  necessity  of  putting  this  far-fetched  interpretation 
upon  this  passage.    In  John  Wyclif's  The  Ave  Maria, 


Prince  of  Denmark  169 

ed.  E.  E.  T.  S.,  p.  206,  occurs:  "the  rotten  body  [of 
man]  that  is  worms'  meat." 

IV.  v.  S.  d.  Here  the  first  Folio  omits  the  Gentle- 
man, no  doubt,  as  Collier  suggested,  to  avoid  the 
employment  of  another  actor. 

IV.  v.  20.,  S.  d.  The  direction  in  the  Quarto  of 
1603  is,  "Enter  Ofelia  playing  on  a  lute,  and  her 
haire  downe,  singing."  This  is  the  basis  for  the 
traditional  stage-business. 

IV.  v.  25.  cockle  hat.  The  cockle  hat,  staff,  and 
sandals  were  the  guise  of  a  pilgrim  and  often  the 
disguise  of  a  lover.  Cf.  Romeo's  costume  at  the  ball 
in  Romeo  and  Juliet.  The  hat  was  so  called  from 
the  custom  of  putting  cockle-shells  upon  pilgrims' 
hats.  The  shell  was  used  to  denote  that  the  pilgrim 
had  been  to  the  shrine  of  St.  James  of  Compostella 
in  Spain. 

IV.  v.  42.  owl  .  .  .  daughter.  There  is  an  old 
mediaeval  legend  that  a  baker's  daughter  was  turned 
into  an  owl  for  refusing  bread  to  our  Lord. 

IV.  v.  97.  Switzers.  The  kings  of  France  em- 
ployed Swiss  mercenaries  as  guards,  and  the  term 
'Switzer'  gradually  became  almost  synonymous  with 
'guard.' 

IV.  v.  141.  swoopstake.  A  gambling  term  used 
when  the  winner  clears  the  board  of  all  the  stakes. 

IV.  v.  145.  life-rendering  pelican.  It  was  a 
common  belief  that  the  pelican  either  fed  its  young 
or  restored  them  to  life  when  dead  with  its  own  blood. 
It  was  thus  an  emblem  of  self-sacrifice. 

IV.  v.  164.  Hey  non  nonny.  Such  meaningless 
refrains  are  common  in  old  songs.     Cf.  169,  'a-down.' 

IV.  v.  171.  wheel.  Although  this  word  is  usually 
rendered  'burden,'  'refrain/  it  is  possible  that  Ophelia 
is  referring  to  singing  at  the  spinning  wheel. 

IV.  v.  171.  false  steward.  This  ballad  or  story 
is  unknown  at  the  present  day. 


1 70  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

IV.  v.  174.  rosemary.  Flower  symbolism  was  an 
elaborate  system  in  mediaeval  and  Elizabethan  Eng- 
land. Cf.  The  Handfull  of  Pleasant  Delights  (1584)  : 

Rosemarie  is  for  remembrance, 

betweene  vs  daie  and  night: 
Wishing  that  I  might  alwaies  haue 

you  present  in  my  sight. 

Rosemary  was  also  often  strewn  on  biers.  Cf.  Romeo 
and  Juliet,  IV.  v.  79 ;  Winter's  Tale,  IV.  iii.  74. 

IV.  v.  176.  pansies.  French,  pensees;  a  country 
emblem  of  love  and  courtship. 

IV.  v.  180.  rue.  It  was  usually  mingled  with  holy 
water  and  then  known  as  'herb  of  grace.'  Hence 
"we  may  call  it  herb  of  grace  o'  Sundays."  Worm- 
wood, the  emblem  of  remorse,  was  likewise  called  herb 
of  grace. 

IV.  v.  182.  difference.  An  heraldic  bearing,  dis- 
tinguishing the  arms  of  one  branch  of  the  same  family 
from  another.  Ophelia  implies  that  for  the  Queen 
rue  signifies  the  remembrance  of  things  to  be  re- 
pented, for  herself — regret.     Thus  the  "difference." 

IV.  v.  186.  For  .  .  .  joy.  The  music  for  this 
song  is  contained  in  Anthony  Holborne's  Citharn 
Schoole  (1597).  It  is  probably  a  Robin  Hood  ballad 
now  lost. 

IV.  v.  189.  And  .  .  .  again.  This  song  appears 
under  the  titles :  The  Merry  Milkmaids  and  The  Milk- 
maids' Dumps. 

IV.  vii.  20.  spring.  There  are  several  springs  in 
England  whose  water  is  so  heavily  charged  with  lime 
that  they  will  petrify  with  a  deposit  of  lime  any 
object  placed  in  them.  There  is  one  at  King's 
Newnham  in  Warwickshire  and  another  at  Knares- 
borough  in  Yorkshire. 

IV.  vii.  21.  gyves.  I.e.,  would  turn  punishments 
inflicted  upon  Hamlet  into  proofs  of  his  good  qualities. 

IV.  vii.  23.      reverted.      I.e.,  the  'loud  wind'  of 


Prince  of  Denmark  171 

popular  affection  for  Hamlet  would  have  caused 
Claudius'  shafts  to  recoil  upon  himself. 

IV.  vii.  27.  praises  .  .  .  again.  I.e.,  if  praises 
may  return  to  what  is  now  no  more — viz.,  Ophelia's 
natural  charm. 

IV.  vii.  28.  challenger  on  mount.  I.e.,  her  worth 
challenged  all  the  age  to  deny  her  perfection.  'Of 
all  the  age'  qualifies  'challenger,'  not  'mount.' 

IV.  vii.  40.  Claudio.  A  character  who  does  not 
appear  in  the  play. 

IV.  vii.  76.  siege.  Literally  'seat,'  thence  'rank,' 
because  people  sat  at  table  in  order  of  precedence. 

IV.  vii.  87.  incorps'd  and  demi-natur'd.  I.e.,  like 
a  Centaur,  half  horse,  half  man.  Literally,  of  one 
body  with  and  half  partaking  of  the  nature  of  his 
horse. 

IV.  vii.  89.  in  .  .  .  tricks.  I.e.,  I  could  not  con- 
trive so  many  proofs  of  dexterity  as  he  could  per- 
form. 

IV.  vii.  96.  masterly  report.  I.e.,  a  report  de- 
scribing Laertes  as  a  master  of  fence. 

IV.  vii.  112.  passages  of  proof.  I.e.,  instances 
from  practical  experience  of  the  world. 

IV.  vii.  117.  plurisy.  Often  used  where  today 
one  would  say  'plethora.' 

IV.  vii.  122.  spendthrift  sigh.  A  satisfactory 
paraphrase  has  not  as  yet  been  suggested.  The 
meaning  is  probably:  "the  recognition  of  a  'should' 
when  it  is  too  late  is  like  a  wasteful  or  supererogatory 
sigh,  which  pains  even  while  giving  relief."  The 
difficulty  lies  in  the  adjectival  use  of  'spendthrift.' 

IV.  vii.  138.  pass  of  practice.  It  may  mean 
either  (1)  a  treacherous  thrust,  or  (2)  a  thrust  in 
which  you  are  practised.  The  former  is  more  prob- 
able. 

IV.  vii.  141.  mountebank.  These  men  were 
quack-doctors  who  journeyed  from  town  to  town  sell- 
ing miraculous  remedies  and  forbidden  poisons. 


172  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

IV.  vii.  145.  moon.  It  was  believed  that  to  gather 
herbs  by  moonlight  added  to  their  medicinal  value. 
It  is  possible,  however,  that  here  the  meaning  is 
simply  'on  earth.' 

IV.  vii.  155.  cunnings.  The  first  Folio  reads 
commings,  possibly  fencing  bouts.  Cf.  Cotgrave: 
Venue — a  comming;  also,  a  vennie  in  fencing. 

IV.  vii.  170.  crow- flowers.  It  is  probable  that 
Shakespeare  is  still  carrying  on  his  flower  symbolism 
in  the  garlands  worn  by  Ophelia.  Thus  the  crow- 
flower  was  also  called  'the  fair  maid  of  France' ;  long 
purples  were  said  to  represent  the  cold  hand  of 
death ;  nettles  meant  'stung  to  the  quick' ;  and  the 
daisy  sometimes  imported  'pure  virginity'  or  'spring 
of  life.'     (Parkinson.) 

IV.  vii.  190.  woman.  I.e.,  when  these  tears  are 
shed  the  woman  in  me,  what  I  have  inherited  from 
my  mother,  will  have  come  out. 

V.  i.  S.  d.  Clowns.  The  term  applies  both  to 
peasants  and  to  actors  of  low  comedy  roles.  In  stage 
directions  it  usually  means  the  latter. 

V.  i.  9.  se  offendendo.  The  clown's  mistake  for 
se  defendendo,  which  would  itself  be  a  mistake,  since 
this  was  the  verdict  in  the  case  of  justifiable  homicide. 

V.  i.  37.  bore  arms.  A  quibble  on  bearing  a  coat 
of  arms  and  the  literal  meaning. 

V.  i.  44.  confess  thyself.  Half  of  an  old  proverb. 
The  rest  was  'and  be  hanged.'  Or  possibly  'confess 
thyself  a  fool.' 

V.  i.  59.  unyoke.  Literally,  'you  may  then  free 
your  cattle  from  the  yoke';  hence,  'your  day's  work 
is  done.' 

V.  i.  68.  Yaughan.  Some  ale-house  is  probably 
intended,  perhaps  the  one  attached  to  the  Globe 
theatre.  The  name  is  Welsh  and,  therefore,  is  not 
necessarily  a  corruption  of  the  German,  'Johann/  as 
has  been  suggested  by  some  commentators. 


Prince  of  Denmark  H '• 

V.  i.  69.  In  .  .  .  love.  This  song,  by  Lord  Vaux, 
is  found  in  Tottel's  Miscellany  (1557),  p.  173,  under 
the  title  The  aged  louer  renounceth  loue,  although 
the  Clown  sings  a  confused  and  blundering  version 
of  it. 

V.  i.  75.  property  of  easiness.  I.e.,  custom  has 
made  it  natural  to  him  to  take  his  task  easily. 

V.  i.  101.  loggats.  A  game  in  which  thick  sticks 
are  thrown  to  lie  as  near  as  possible  to  a  stake  fixed 
in  the  ground  or  to  a  block  of  wood  on  a  floor. 

V.  i.  108.  tenures.  The  act,  right,  or  manner  of 
holding,  as  real  estate,  property  of  a  superior ;  manner 
in,  or  period  for,  which  anything  is  had  and  enjoyed. 

V.  i.  111.  action  of  battery.  Right  to  sue  for  an 
unlawful  attack  by  beating  and  wounding. 

V.  i.  113.  statutes.  Particular  modes  of  recogni- 
zance or  acknowledgement  for  securing  debts,  which 
thereby  became  a  charge  upon  the  party's  land. 
(Ritson.) 

V.  i.  113.  recognisances.  Bonds  or  obligations  of 
record  testifying  the  recognizor  to  owe  to  the  recog- 
nizee a  certain  sum  of  money. 

V.  i.  114.  vouchers.  Persons  who  are  called  upon 
to  warrant  a  tenant's  title. 

V.  i.  116.  fines,  recoveries.  Processes  by  which 
entailed  estates  were  commonly  transferred  from  one 
party  to  another. 

V.  i.  120.  conveyance.  Document  by  which  trans- 
ference of  property  is  effected. 

V.  i.  127.  assurance.  Also  used  with  quibble  on 
its  legal  meaning  'evidence  of  the  conveyance  or  set- 
tlement of  property.' 

V.  i.  150.  by  the  card.  There  are  two  conjectures 
as  to  the  original  meaning:  (1)  that  'card'  refers  to 
the  card  on  which  the  thirty-two  points  of  the  mari- 
ner's compass  are  marked,  hence  'precision';  (2)  that 
it  alludes  to  the  'card'  or  'calender'  of  etiquette.  Cf. 
Osric's  use  of  the  word. 


174  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

V.  i.  256.  crants.  Garlands  appear  to  have  been 
borne  before  the  bodies  of  unmarried  women  to  the 
grave,  and  were  hung  up  in  church. 

V.  i.  277.  Pelion.  Pelion,  Olympus,  and  Ossa 
(1.  305)  are  three  mountains  in  the  north  of  Thessaly. 
The  Titans,  warring  with  the  gods,  are  said  to  have 
attempted  to  pile  Ossa  on  Pelion  in  an  effort  to  scale 
Olympus. 

V.  i.  300.  eisel.  Some  commentators  have  taken 
this  word  for  the  name  of  a  river,  but  there  seems  no 
plausible  basis  for  such  an  interpretation.  Cf.  The 
Salisbury  Primer  (1555):  "I  beseech  thee  for  the 
bitterness  of  the  aysell  and  gall,  that  thou  tasted." 

V.  i.  308.  This  .  .  .  drooping.  The  first  Folio 
assigns  this  speech  to  the  King. 

V.  i.  311.  golden  couplets.  The  dove  lays  but  two 
eggs  and  the  young,  when  first  disclosed,  are  covered 
with  a  yellow  down.    Cf.  III.  i.  174. 

V.  ii.  13.  sea-gown.  "A  coarse,  high-collared  and 
short-sleeved  gown,  reaching  down  to  the  mid  leg,  and 
used  most  by  seamen  and  sailors."     (Onions.) 

V.  ii.  22.  bugs  .  .  .  life.  I.e.,  with  such  enumera- 
tion of  bugbears  and  imaginary  terrors  if  Hamlet 
were  allowed  his  life. 

V.  ii.  30.  prologue  .  .  .  play.  I.e.,  before  I  had 
formed  my  real  plan,  my  brains  had  done  their  work. 

V.  ii.  42.  comma.  There  have  been  many  con- 
jectures, but  the  meaning  of  the  text  appears  obvious 
as  it  stands. 

V.  ii.  43.  '  As'es.  A  quibble  on  'as,'  the  conditional 
particle,  and  'ass,'  the  beast  of  burden. 

V.  ii.  65.  election.  The  Danish  throne  was  elec- 
tive. 

V.  ii.  84.  water- fly.  Used  for  a  vain  or  idly  busy 
person,  but  probably  also  with  reference  to  the  gaudy 
attire  of  the  foolish  courtier. 

V.  ii.  90.     mess.     "One  of  the  groups  of  persons, 


Prince  of  Denmark  175 

normally  four,  into  which  the  company  at  a  banquet 
was  divided."     (Onions.) 

V.  ii.  90.  chough.  This  word  also  meant,  some- 
times, a  provincial  boor — but  it  is  hardly  likely  that 
a  "water-fly"  whose  crib  stood  at  the  King's  mess 
was  a  mere  provincial  boor,  nor  does  Osric's  affected 
courtier  speech  correspond  to  this  description.  Cf. 
also  193,  'lapwing.'  Nevertheless,  many  commenta- 
tors so  interpret  it. 

V.  ii.  109.  remember.  The  phrase  'remember  thy 
courtesy'  was  a  conventional  one  for  'be  covered.'  Cf. 
Love's  Labour's  Lost,  V.  i.  106. 

V.  ii.  110.  mine  ease.  This  again  was  the  con- 
ventional apologetic  reply  for  declining  the  invitation 
of  'remember  thy  courtesy/ 

V.  ii.  121.  yaw.  Nautical  figure;  the  literal  mean- 
ing is  difficult  to  define  precisely,  but  the  sense  of  the 
line  appears  to  be  'and  yet  but  stagger  in  the  attempt 
to  overtake  his  perfections.'  Osric  is  himself  puzzled 
as  Hamlet  intended  he  should  be. 

V.  ii.  132.  another  tongue.  I.e.,  in  plain  language, 
instead  of  in  this  affected  courtier  speech. 

V.  ii.  174.  twelve  for  nine.  The  exact  details  of 
this  wager  are  a  matter  of  doubt.  The  meaning 
probably  is  that  in  every  dozen  passes  Laertes  will 
not  score  more  than  twelve  hits  to  Hamlet's  nine. 
It  might,  therefore,  take  twenty-one  passes  to  decide 
this. 

V.  ii.  193.  lapwing.  It  was  said  when  newly 
hatched  to  run  about  with  the  shell  on  its  head. 

V.  ii.  201.  fond  and  winnowed.  This  phrase  has 
not  been  satisfactorily  explained.  The  metaphor  is 
a  mixed  one.  "Fond"  means  "foolish,"  and  "win- 
nowed," according  to  Craig,  "sensible."  That  is,  this 
"yesty  collection"  gives  the  appearance  of  being  able 
to  range  through  all  shades  of  opinions  from  foolish 
to  wise,  but  subject  them  to  a  real  test  and  "the 
bubbles  are  out." 


176  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

V.  ii.  258.  satisfied  in  nature.  Though  his  natural 
tendency  is  to  be  satisfied  with  Hamlet's  explanation, 
yet  his  artificial  honor  as  a  courtier  requires  that  the 
matter  shall  be  adjudicated. 

V.  ii.  269.  foil.  That  which  sets  something  off  to 
advantage,  with  a  quibble  on  the  meaning  'fencing 
foil.* 

V.  ii.  277.  better'd.  Some  commentators  take  this 
to  mean  'stands  higher  in  reputation.' 

V.  ii.  283.  quit.  I.e.,  requite  Laertes'  winning  of 
the  first  two  bouts  by  gaining  the  third. 

V.  ii.  316.  S.  d.  The  usual  method  of  representing 
upon  the  stage  this  exchange  of  rapiers  is  as  follows : 
With  a  quick  thrust  Hamlet  disarms  Laertes.  As  the 
foil  drops,  Hamlet  places  his  foot  upon  it,  and,  with 
a  bow,  offers  Laertes  his  own  in  exchange.  Courtesy 
compels  Laertes  to  accept  this,  after  which  Hamlet 
stoops,  picks  up  Laertes'  foil  from  the  ground,  and 
resumes  the  bout. 

V.  ii.  355.  Roman.  It  was  a  Roman  custom  to 
follow  masters  in  death. 

V.  ii.  372.  solicited.  The  sentence  is  left  un- 
finished. 

V.  ii.  378.  cries  on  havoc.  Originally,  to  give  an 
army  the  order  'havoc!'  as  the  signal  for  pillaging. 


APPENDIX  A 
Sources  of  the  Play 

There  are  two  early  references  to  the  name  'Ham- 
let/ one  in  The  Annals  of  Ireland  by  the  Four 
Masters,1  under  the  year  917,  and  the  other  in  Snorri's 
Prose  Edda,  about  three  centuries  later.  The  outline 
of  the  story  of  Hamlet,  as  we  are  familiar  with  it,  is 
first  found  in  the  Historia  Danica  of  Saxo  Grammat- 
icus,  a  Danish  chronicler  who  lived  at  the  end  of  the 
twelfth  century. 

Saxo's  version  contains  the  following  elements  in 
common  with  Shakespeare's:  the  murder  of  Hamlet's 
father  by  the  latter's  ambitious  brother;  the  mother's 
incestuous  marriage  with  the  murderer ;  the  son's 
feigned  madness,  or  "folly,"  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  out  his  revenge;  a  foreshadowing  of  the 
character  of  Ophelia  by  the  girl  thrown  in  Hamlet's 
way  that  the  true  state  of  his  mind  may  be  discov- 
ered; a  foreshadowing  of  the  character  of  Polonius; 
the  scene  between  mother  and  son;2  the  voyage  to 
England  with  two  companions,  during  which  Hamlet 
alters  the  letter,  and  the  companions  are  put  to  death 
in  his  stead;  Hamlet's  return  to  kill  his  uncle,  a  deed 
which  he  accomplishes.     The  ending  differs. 

Francois  de  Belle-Forest  published  in  1570  a  free 
translation  of  Saxo's  Hamlet  story  in  French  prose 
in  the  fifth  book  of  his  Histoires  Tragiques.  Although 
many  editions  of  this  appeared  in  France  before  1600, 
there  is  no  evidence  of  an  English  version  before  the 
publication   by   Thomas   Pavier   of  the   Hystorie   of 

i  Cf.  the  Introduction  to  Gollancz's  Hamlet  in  Iceland. 
2  Cf.  Hamlet,  III.  iv. 


178  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

Hamblet  in  1608.  This  English  translation  differs 
in  a  few  particulars  from  Belle-Forest,  and  these 
differences  seem  to  be  due  to  the  influence  of  Shake- 
speare's play.  Thus,  in  Belle-Forest  the  counsellor 
who  acts  the  spy  during  Amleth's  (Hamlet's)  inter- 
view with  his  mother,  conceals  himself  under  a  bed- 
quilt,  upon  which  Amleth  leaps  when  entering  the 
room  and  so  discovers  the  eavesdropper.  In  the 
Hystorie,  the  counsellor  hides  behind  the  arras,  as  in 
the  play.  Again,  Hamblet,  at  the  moment  of  this 
discovery,  calls  out  "A  rat!  A  rat!",  of  which  there 
is  no  trace  in  Belle-Forest. 

There  is  one  other  conjectural  source  for  Shake- 
speare's play,  viz.,  an  earlier  play  by  another  author 
on  the  same  subject.  The  evidence  for  the  existence 
of  such  a  work  is  as  follows:  In  1589  was  published 
Greene's  Menaphon  with  a  prefatory  epistle  by 
Thomas  Nash  "to  the  Gentlemen  Students  of  both 
Vniuersities."  In  this  epistle,  Nash  briefly  reviews 
contemporary  literature  and  refers  to  "whole  Ham- 
lets, I  should  say  Handfulls  of  tragical  speeches," 
linking  this  remark  with  a  reference  to  Seneca. 

The  next  reference  to  an  early  play  of  Hamlet  is 
from  the  Diary  of  Philip  Henslowe,1  the  theatrical 
manager,  for  the  year  1 594. 

"Ye  9  of  June  1594.  R[eceive]d.  at  hamlet,  viijs". 
At  this  time  the  Lord  Chamberlain's  and  the  Lord 
Admiral's  men  were  playing  for  Henslowe  at  the 
theatre  at  Newington  Butts.  The  former  company 
was  the  one  to  which  Shakespeare  belonged. 

Lodge's  Wit's  miserie,  and  the  World's  madness, 
published  in  1596,  contains  this  passage:  '[Hate 
Virtue  is]  a  foul  lubber,  and  looks  as  pale  as  the 
wisard  of  the  ghost,  which  cried  so  miserably  at  the 
theator,  like  an  oyster-wife,  Hamlet  reuenge." 

i  The  entry  differs  from  those  Henslowe  made  when  the 
play  mentioned  was  a  new  one. 


Prince  of  Denmark  179 

This  cumulative  evidence  is  conclusive  of  the  exist- 
ence of  a  play  on  the  subject  of  Hamlet  at  an  earlier 
date  than  any  surviving  Shakespeare  quarto. 

The  general  consensus  of  opinion  is  that  the  earlier 
play  was  by  Thomas  Kyd,  the  author  of  the  Spanish 
Tragedie.  Nash's  preface  to  Greene's  Menaphon, 
already  alluded  to,  contains  a  punning  reference  to 
"the  Kidde  in  Aesope's  fable."  Kyd's  known  plays' 
show  marked  Senecan  influence.1  The  probability 
that  Kyd  was  the  author  of  the  earlier  Hamlet  is 
further  substantiated  by  resemblances  between  the 
Spanish  Tragedie  and  Shakespeare's  Hamlet.  In 
both  the  motive  is  revenge;  the  ghost  of  the  victim 
relates  his  story;  the  hero  feigns  madness;  in  each 
play  there  is  a  faithful  friend  named  Horatio;  each 
contains  a  play  within  a  play ;  the  innocent  and  guilty 
alike  are  involved  in  the  catastrophes. 

Although  no  actual  trace  of  this  earlier  play  has 
been  found,  many  scholars  believe  that  a  German 
manuscript,  dated  October  27,  1710,  and  published 
in  1781,  preserves  some  material  from  the  original 
version.  This  manuscript  is  possibly  a  modernized 
copy  of  an  older  one  which  was  first  translated  when 
a  troupe  of  English  actors  visited  Germany  at  the 
end  of  the  sixteenth  century.2  The  German  play  is 
entitled,  Der  Bestrafte  Brudermord  oder:  Prinz 
Hamlet  aus  Danemark.  (Fratricide  Punished,  or 
Prince  Hamlet  of  Denmark).  It  opens  with  an 
allegorical  prologue  which  shows  unmistakable  Sene- 
can influence.  Likewise  Polonius  is  here  called 
Corambus,  which  corresponds  with  his  name  'Coram- 
bis'  in  the  first  Quarto.  Otherwise  this  German  play 
is  exceedingly  crude  and  coarse,  although  the  outline 

i  He  was  also  the  translator  of  a  Seneca-like  tragedy 
entitled  Cornelia,  by  the  French  tragic  writer  Gamier. 

2  On  the  other  hand,  the  earliest  reference  known  to  a 
performance  of  Hamlet  by  English  actors  in  Germany  is 
in  the  year  1626. 


i  so  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

of  the  plot  action  follows  Shakespeare's  closely.     It 
is,  however,  devoid  of  all  literary  merit. 

To  sum  up:  the  story  of  Hamlet  was  taken  by 
Belle-Forest  from  Saxo's  chronicle.  Shakespeare 
received  it  either  from  Belle-Forest,  direct,  or  from 
an  earlier  unknown  publication  of  the  translation  of 
Belle-Forest  of  which  the  Hystorie  of  Hamblet  is  a 
later  edition,  or  he  founded  his  play  on  an  earlier 
tragedy  which  was  probably  by  Thomas  Kyd.  The 
traces  of  Senecan  influence  in  Shakespeare's  Hamlet 
are  due  either  to  this  earlier  play  or  to  the  general 
and  common  influence  of  Seneca  upon  Elizabethan 
tragic  playwrights. 


APPENDIX  B 
History  of  the  Play 

The  stage  history  of  Hamlet  is  practically  that 
of  the  English-speaking  stage  itself.  Almost  all  the 
great  actors  of  England  and  America,  from  Shake- 
speare's day  to  this,  have  appeared  as  the  Prince. 
In  addition,  for  the  past  one  hundred  years,  it  has 
been  frequently  played  in  the  principal  European 
countries.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  no  other  play  of 
Shakespeare's  has  been  more  often  performed. 

Richard  Burbage,  the  leading  actor  of  Shake- 
speare's company,  was  undoubtedly  the  first  Hamlet. 
From  the  meagre  accounts  of  his  style  of  acting  which 
have  survived,  we  may  infer  that,  like  subsequent 
great  interpreters  of  the  part,  he  was  distinguished 
for  the  ease  and  naturalness  of  his  art. 

After  the  Restoration,  Thomas  Betterton  achieved 
great  fame  in  this  role.  He  was  instructed  in  his 
interpretation  by  Sir  William  Davenant,  who  had 
seen  the  Blackfriars'  company  act  the  play.  Better- 
ton  for  the  first  time  introduced  scenery  into  Hamlet, 
and,  if  we  are  to  trust  the  Quarto  of  1676,  established 
many  of  the  traditions  subsequently  followed  in 
acting  versions. 

David  Garrick  was  the  leading  interpreter  of 
Hamlet  during  the  middle  portion  of  the  eighteenth 
century.  He  first  appeared  in  the  part  on  November 
16,  1734,  and  continued  to  play  it  many  times  until 
he  left  the  stage  in  1776.  Garrick  introduced  altera- 
tions of  his  own  into  the  text,  the  chief  of  which  was 
the  omission  of  the  churchyard  scene  (V.  i.),  but  he 
was  not  followed  by  others  in  this.  The  latter 
years  of  the  eighteenth   century  saw  what  many  to 


182 The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

this  day  consider  must  have  been  the  greatest  Hamlet 
of  them  all,  John  Philip  Kemble,  with  his  sister,  Mrs. 
Siddons,  as  Ophelia.  Kemble  restored  the  text  as 
written  by  Shakespeare  and  abolished  the  Garrick 
innovations. 

The  nineteenth  century  has  witnessed,  in  England 
and  America,  a  number  of  excellent  Hamlets,  of  whom 
the  best  remembered  are  Edmund  Kean,  Macready, 
Samuel  Phelps,  Feehter,  Edwin  Booth,  Sir  Henry 
Irving,  Wilson  Barrett,  Sir  Herbert  Tree,  Martin 
Harvey,  Sir  Johnston  Forbes-Robertson,  and  E.  H. 
Sothern.  In  addition  to  the  list  of  famous  Hamlets, 
many  of  the  leading  actresses  have,  at  one  time  or 
another,  played  Gertrude  or  Ophelia. 

The  most  artistic  and  remarkable  of  the  modern 
productions  of  Hamlet  was  that  designed  a  few  years 
ago  by  Gordon  Craig  for  the  Art  Theatre  in  Moscow. 
Nor  is  there  any  indication  that  the  popularity  of  this 
play  upon  the  stage  has  dimmed.  It  still  remains  the 
test  of  the  summit  of  achievement  for  the  art  of  a 
tragic  actor. 


APPENDIX  C 
The  Text 

Three  versions  of  Hamlet  have  survived.  These 
are:  the  Quarto1  of  1603;  the  Quarto  of  1604;  and 
the  text  of  the  First  Folio  (1623).  All  three  of  these 
texts  differ  from  each  other.  Modern  texts  are  based 
upon  the  Quarto  of  1604  and  the  First  Folio. 

The  Quarto  of  1603  offers  many  perplexing  prob- 
lems. It  is  a  brief2  and  mutilated  text  and  the  order 
of  the  scenes  varies  from  that  of  the  two  accepted 
texts.     The  title-page  is  as  follows: 

THE  |  Tragicall  Historie  of  |  HAMLET  |  Prince 
of  Denmarke  |  By  William  Shake-speare.    |  As  it  hath 
beene  diuerse  times  acted  by  his   Highnesse  Ser- 
uants  in  the  Cittie  of  London:  as  also  in  the  two  V- 
niuersities  of  Cambridge  and  Oxford,  and  else-where 
[Vignette'}   |  At  London  printed  for  N.  L.  and  Iohn 
Trundell.     )  1603. 

It  is  probable  that  this  text  was  a  pirated  edition 
based  upon  notes  taken  in  shorthand  during  a  perform- 
ance at  the  theatre.  The  differences,  however,  in  the 
order  of  the  scenes,  the  alteration  in  the  conception 
of  Gertrude's  character,  the  almost  total  omission  of 
the  soliloquies,  and  the  less  subtle  and  elaborate 
dialogue  throughout  would  seem  to  indicate  that 
Hamlet  was  thoroughly  revised  before  the  publication 
of  the  second  Quarto  in  1604.  Last  of  all,  as  tending 
to  confirm  this  supposition,  is  the  fact  that  certain 
of  the  characters  appear  under  altered  names  in  the 

i  The  text  is  published  in  Furness'  Variorum  Hamlet, 
vol.  II. 

2  It  is  about  half  the  length  of  the  Quarto  of  1604. 


184  The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 

later  text;  Corambis  becomes  Polonius,  and  Montano, 
Reynaldo.1 

The  text  of  the  present  edition  is  substantially  that 
of  Craig's  Oxford  Shakespeare  (Oxford  University 
Press). 

The  departures  from  this  are  of  three  kinds: 
(1)  the  stage  directions  of  the  first  Folio  (1623)  or 
of  the  second  Quarto  (1604)  have  been  restored 
wherever  these  existed,  additional  stage  directions  not 
found  in  the  two  original  texts  being  placed  in  square 
brackets;  (2)  passages  or  whole  lines  occurring  in 
the  second  Quarto,  but  not  in  the  first  Folio,  have 
been  enclosed  in  square  brackets;  (3)  in  a  few  in- 
stances a  return  has  been  made  to  the  reading  of  the 
first  Folio  when  the  editor  was  of  the  opinion  that  an 
emendation  of  the  text  was  unnecessary. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  alterations  of  the 
Craig  text  under  (3),  the  words  of  the  present  text 
and  of  the  first  Folio  preceding  the  colon,  those  of 
Craig's  text  following  it.  Minor  changes  of  spelling 
and  punctuation  have  not  been  noted. 

I.  ii.  82  moods :  modes 

I.  ii.  190  Saw?  Who?:  Saw  who? 

I. ii.  191  The  king,  my  father?:  The  king,  my  father! 

I.  ii.  200  Arm'd  at  all  points:  Armed  at  points 

I.  ii.  216  it:  its 

I.  iii.  109  Roaming:  Running 

I.  iii.  130  bonds :  bawds 

I. iv. 45     father,  royal  Dane;  O!  answer:   father;  royal 

Dane,  O!  answer 
I.  iv.  79     wafts :  waves 

I.  v.  107     My  tables,  my  tables:  My  tables 
I.  v.  133    hurling:  whirling 

I.  v.  174    or  thus,  head  shake;  or  this  head-shake 

II.  ii.  45     God,  one:  God  and 

II.  ii.  324    in  form  and  moving:  in  form,  in  moving 
II.ii.388     [delete]  Very' 

*  Cf.  also  "Duke"  and  "Duchess"  in  place  of  King  and 
Queen  in  The  Murder  of  Oonzago;  and  "First  Centinel"  for 
Francisco. 


Prince  of  Denmark  185 

II.  ii.  448  abridgments  come:  abridgment  comes 

II.  ii.  462  my  lord?:  my  good  lord 

II.  ii.  483  arms :  arm 

III.  i.  117  you:  thee 

III.  ii.  42  with  us,  sir:  with  us 

III.  ii.  213  loves :  love 

I I I,  ii.  382  excellent :  eloquent 

IV.  vii.  92  Lamond:  Lamord 
V.  i.  245  it:  its 

V.ii.358  O  good  Horatio:  O  God!  Horatio 


APPENDIX  D 
Suggestions  for  Collateral  Reading 

William  Hazlitt  in  Characters  of  Shakespeare's 
Plays  (1817).     (Reprinted  in  Everyman's  Library.) 

S.  T.  Coleridge  in  Lectures  on  Shakespeare,  etc., 
2  vols.  (1849).     (Reprinted  in  Everyman's  Library.) 

Helena  Faucit  in  Shakespeare's  Female  Characters, 
Ophelia,  pp.  1-21  (1885.  7th  ed.  1914). 

Mrs.  Jameson  in  Characteristics  of  Women,  Ophe- 
lia, pp.  187-207.     (New  ed.  Riverside  Press,  n.  d.) 

John  Corbin,  The  Elizabethan  Hamlet  (1895). 

A.  C.  Bradley  in  Shakespearean  Tragedy  (1904). 
(Hamlet,  Lectures  III  and  IV.) 

Sidney  Lee  in  Shakespeare  and  the  Modern  Stage 
(1906). 

Charlton  M.  Lewis,  The  Genesis  of  Hamlet  (1907). 

Karl  Werder,  The  Heart  of  Hamlet's  Mystery, 
Eng.  transl.  (1907). 

Thomas  Kyd,  The  Spanish  Tragedy,  ed.  by  J. 
Schick  (1907).     (Temple  Dramatists.) 

William  Winter  in  Shakespeare  on  the  Stage 
(1911),  chap,  v,  Hamlet. 

W.  F.  Trench,  Shakespeare's  Hamlet  (1913). 

Stopford  A.  Brooke  in  Ten  More  Plays  of  Shake- 
speare, chap,  iv,  Hamlet  (1913). 

H.  H.  Furness,  Variorum  Hamlet,  2  vols.   (1877). 


INDEX  OF  WORDS  GLOSSED 

(Figures  in  full-faced  type  refer  to  page-numbers) 


a':  37  (II.  i.  58) 
abatements:    123     (IV.    vii. 

120) 
about,  my  brain:  62  (II.  ii. 

625) 
abridgments:  56  (II.  ii.  448) 
absolute:    131    (V.   i.    149); 

142  (V.  ii.  112) 
abstracts:  60  (II.  ii.  555) 
abus'd:  28  (I.  v.  38) 
abuse:  121  (IV.  vii.  50) 
act:  15  (I.  ii.  205) 
action  of  battery:  130  (V.  i. 

Ill) 
admiration:  15  (I.  ii.  192) 
adulterate:  28  (I.  v.  42) 
iEneas'    tale    to    Dido:    57 

(II.  ii.  477) 
aery:  53  (II.  ii.  362) 
affront:  64  (III.  i.  31) 
afraid    of    goose-quills :    53 

(II.  ii.  367) 
against:  58  (II.  ii.  513).  See 

also  '  'gainst' 
aim:  109  (IV.  v.  9) 
allowance:  72  (III.  ii.  32) 
amber  .  .  .  gum:  47   (II.  ii. 

204) 
ambition:  89  (III.  iii.  55) 
an:  (on)  28  (I.  v.  19) 
an  if:  34  (I.  v.  177) 
anchor's:  80  (III.  ii.  231) 
and  .  .  .  again:  116  (IV.  v. 

189) 
angle:  140  (V.  ii.  66) 
annexment:  87  (III.  iii.  21) 
anoint:  124  (IV.  vii.  140) 
anon:  58   (II.  ii.  516) 


another  tongue:  143   (V.  ii. 

132) 
answer:  98  (III.  iv.  176) 
antic:  34  (I.  v.  172) 
apoplex'd:  94  (III.  iv.  73) 
appliance:  103   (IV.  iii.  10) 
appointment:    118    (IV.    vi. 

17) 
apprehension:     52     (II.     ii. 

326) 
approve:  2  (I.  i.  29) 
approve  me:  143  (V.  ii.  142) 
appurtenance:    54     (II.    ii. 

397) 
apt:  28  (I.  v.  31) 
are  .  .  .  that:  21  (I.  iii.  74) 
argal:  127  (V.  i.  13) 
argument:  53    (II.  ii.  380); 

108   (IV.  iv.  54) 
arm:  88  (III.  iii.  24) 
arrant:  32  (I.  v.  124) 
arras:  46  (II.  ii.  163) 
art  and  exercise:  122    (IV. 

vii.  97) 
artless:  109  (IV.  v.  19) 
as  .  .  .  blood:  6  (I.  i.  117) 
'as'es:  139  (V.  ii.  43) 
'as    most    like    it    was':    56 

(II.  ii.  446) 
assay  (noun):  42  (II.  ii.  71) 
assay  (vb.):  64  (III.  i.  14) 
assays  of  bias:  37  (II.  i.  65) 
assigns:  144  (V.  ii.  157) 
assurance:  131  (V.  i.  127) 
at  .  .  .  fee:  26  (I.  iv.  65) 
at  foot:  105  (IV.  iii.  57) 
attends:  87  (III.  iii.  22) 
attent:  15  (I.  ii.  193) 


188 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


attribute:  24  (I.  iv.  22) 
audit:  90  (III.  iii.  82) 
auspicious:  8  (I.  ii.  11) 
authorities:  102  (IV.  ii.  17) 
avouch:  3  (I.  i.  57) 

bak'd  meats:  14  (I.  ii.  180) 
bands:  9  (I.  ii.  24) 
bare:  66  (III.  i.  76) 
barren:  72  (III.  ii.  47) 
bated:  139  (V.  ii.  23) 
batten:  94  (III.  iv.  67) 
bawdry:  59  (II.  ii.  531) 
be  bless'd:  98  (III.  iv.  171) 
be  idle:  74  (III.  ii.  95) 
bear:  103  (IV.  iii.  7) 
beaten  way:  50  (II.  ii.  282) 
beating:  70  (III.  i.  183) 
beautified:  44  (II.  ii.  109) 
beaver:  16  (I.  ii.  229) 
beck:  68   (III.  i.  129) 
bedded:  96   (III.  iv.  120) 
beetles:  26  (I.  iv.  71) 
beget:  71   (III.  ii.  8) 
beggars   bodies:   50    (II.   ii. 

274) 
behove:  129  (V.  i.  71) 
bend:  12  (I.  ii.  115) 
be-netted:  139  (V.  ii.  29) 
bent:  86   (III.  ii.  409);  105 

(IV.  iii.  48) 
berattle:  53  (II.  ii.  365) 
beshrew:  39  (II.  i.  113) 
bespeak:  45   (II.  ii.  140) 
bestial    oblivion:    107    (IV. 

iv.  40) 
bestowed:  60  (II.  ii.  554) 
beteem:  13  (I.  ii.  141) 
better  proposer:  51    (II.  ii. 

303) 
between    who?:    47    (II.    ii. 

198) 
bilboes:  138   (V.  ii.  6) 
bisson    rheum:    59     (II.    ii. 

537) 
blank:  101   (IV.  i.  42) 
blanks:  80  (III.  ii.  232) 


blast  in  proof:  125  (IV.  vii. 

154) 
blasted:  70  (III.  i.  169) 
blastments:  19  (I.  iii.  42) 
blench:  63  (II.  ii.  634) 
bloat:  98  (III.  iv.  182) 
blood:  73  (III.  ii.  74) 
blown:  69  (III.  i.  168) 
board:  46  (II.  ii.  170) 
bodkin:  66  (III.  i.  76) 
bore:  118  (IV.  vi.  28) 
bore  arms:  127  (V.  i.  37) 
borne  in  hand:  42  (II.  ii.  67) 
borrow'd  sheen:  77   (III.  ii. 

169) 
bourn:  66  (III.  i.  79) 
brainish    apprehension:    100 

(IV.  i.  11) 
branches:  127  (V.  i.  12) 
brass'd:  92  (III.  iv.  37) 
brave:  51  (II.  ii.  319) 
bravery:  141  (V.  ii.  79) 
breathing  time:   144   (V.  ii. 

181) 
broad:  91  (III.  iv.  2) 
broad    blown:    90    (III.    iii. 

81) 
brokers:  22  (I.  iii.  127) 
brow  of  woe:  8  (I.  ii.  4) 
bruit:  12  (I.  ii.  127) 
bugs  ...  life:    139    (V.    ii. 

22) 
bulk:  39   (II.  i.  95) 
burning    zone:    137     (V.    i. 

306) 
but:  62  (II.  ii.  613) 
buttons:  19  (I.  iii.  40) 
buys  out:  89  (III.  iii.  60) 
buzz,  buzz:  55  (II.  ii.  421) 
buzzers:  112  (IV.  v.  90) 
by  Gis:  111  (IV.  v.  59) 
by  'r  lady:  56  (II.  ii.  454) 
by  the  card:  131  (V.  i.  150). 

See  also  'card' 

call  't  in  question:  117  (IV. 
v.  217) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


189 


candied:  73  (III.  ii.  65) 
canker:  19  (I.  iii.  39) 
canon:  13  (I.  ii.  132) 
canoniz'd:  25  (I.  iv.  47) 
can  well:  122  (IV.  vii.  84) 
capable:  96  (III.  iv.  126) 
capable  of:  71   (III.  ii.  13) 
cap-a-pe:  15  (I.  ii.  200) 
capital:  119  (IV.  vii.  7) 
Capitol:  75  (III.  ii.  110) 
card:  142  (V.  ii.  115) 
carriage:  5  (I.  i.  94) 
carriages:  144  (V.  ii.  158) 
carry   it   away:    54    (II.    ii. 

385) 
cart:  77  (III.  ii.  167) 
cast:     (founding)     4     (I.    i. 

73);    (tinge)    67    (III.   i. 

85) 
cast  away:  116  (IV.  v.  197) 
cast  beyond:  39  (II.  i.  115) 
casual:  153  (V.  ii.  396) 
cataplasm:     124     (IV.     vii. 

143) 
cautel:  18  (I.  iii.  15) 
caviare  .  .  .  general:  57  (II. 

ii.  466) 
cease:  87  (III.  iii.  15) 
censure:  20   (I.  iii.  69);  74 

(III.  ii.  92) 
centre:  46  (II.  ii.  159) 
cerements:  25  (I.  iv.  48) 
challenger    on    mount:    120 

(IV.  vii.  28) 
chameleon's    dish:    74    (III. 

ii.  98) 
changeling:   140   (V.  ii.  53) 
chanson:  56  (II.  ii.  447) 
chapless:  130  (V.  i.  97) 
character  (noun):  121   (IV. 

vii.  51) 
character    (vb.) :  20    (I.  iii. 

59) 
charge:  (command)  94  (III. 

iv.     86);     (expense)     108 

(IV.  iv.  47) 
chariest:  19  (I.  iii.  36) 


checking   at:   121    (IV.   vii. 

62) 
choler:  83  (III.  ii.  320) 
chopine:  56  (II.  ii.  455) 
chorus:  81   (III.  ii.  259) 
chough:  141  (V.  ii.  90) 
cicatrice:  105  (IV.  iii.  63) 
circumstance:  22  (I.  iii.  102) 
Claudio:  120  (IV.  vii.  40) 
clepe:  24  (I.  iv.  19) 
climatures:  6  (I.  i.  125) 
closely:  64  (III.  i.  29) 
closes:  37  (II.  i.  45) 
closet:  38   (II.  i.  77) 
clout:  59  (II.  ii.  537) 
clown:  52  (II.  ii.  345) 
clowns:  126  (V.  i.,  S.  d.) 
cock:  7  (I.  i.  150) 
Cock:  111  (IV.  v.  62) 
cockle  hat:  110  (IV.  v.  25) 
collateral:  117   (IV.  v.  206) 
colleagued:  9  (I.  ii.  21) 
collection:  109   (IV.  v.  9) 
colour:  51  (II.  ii.  296) 
columbines:  116  (IV.  v.  179) 
combined:  28  (I.  v.  18) 
come,  bird,  come:  31   (I.  v. 

116) 
come  tardy  off:  72  (III.  ii. 

29) 
comma:  139  (V.  ii.  42) 
commerce:  68  (III.  i.  110) 
common    (adj.) :    11    (I.   ii. 

72) 
common  (vb.):  116  (IV.  v. 

202) 
common  players:  53   (II.  ii. 

373) 
common  stages:   53    (II.  ii. 

365) 
commutual:  77  (III.  ii.  172) 
compare   with:    143    (V.   ii. 

146) 
compass:  85  (III.  ii.  391) 
complexion:  24  (I.  iv.  27) 
comply:  54  (II.  ii.  399) 
compulsative:  5  (I.  i.  103) 


190 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


conceit:  61  (II.  ii.  587) 
conception:  47  (II.  ii.  187) 
concernancy:     143     (V.     ii. 

129) 
conclusions:     99      (III.     iv. 

195) 
condolement:  11   (I.  ii.  93) 
confederate:     81      (III.     ii. 

271) 
confess  thyself:   128    (V.  i. 

44) 
confession:  122  (IV.  vii.  95) 
confine:  7  (I.  i.  155) 
confront:  88   (III.  iii.  47) 
confusion:  63   (III.  i.  2) 
conjoin'd:  96   (III.  iv.  125) 
conjunctive:    119    (IV.    vii. 

14) 
conjure:  51  (II.  ii.  300) 
conscience:  66  (III.  i.  83) 
consequence:  37    (II.  i.  45) 
consider'd:  43  (II.  ii.  81) 
consonancy  of  youth:  51  (II. 

ii.  301) 
continent:  108  (IV.  iv.  64) 
contraction:  93  (III.  iv.  46) 
convert:  96  (III.  iv.  127) 
conveyance:  106  (IV.  iv.  3); 

130  (V.  i.  120) 
convocation:    104    (IV.    iii. 

21) 
convoy:  18  (I.  iii.  3) 
cop'd  withal:  73  (III.  ii.  60) 
coronet:  125  (IV.  vii.  173) 
corse:  12  (I.  ii.  105) 
coted:  52  (II.  ii.  338) 
counsel:  77  (III.  ii.  153) 
count  (noun):  119  (IV.  vii. 

17) 
count  (vb.):  141  (V.  ii.  78) 
countenance:    102     (IV.    ii. 

17) 
counter:  113  (IV.  v.  110) 
counterfeit  presentment:  93 

(III.  iv.  54) 
cozenage:  140  (V.  ii.  67) 
cozen'd:  94  (III.  iv.  77) 


cracked  .  .  .  ring:     56     (II. 

ii.  457) 
crants:  135    (V.  i.  256) 
credent:  19  (I.  iii.  30) 
crescent:  18  (I.  iii.  11) 
cried  in  the  top  of:  57  (II. 

ii.  468) 
cries  on  havoc:  152   (V.  ii. 

378) 
cross:  6  (I.  i.  127) 
crow-flowers:   125    (IV.   vii. 

170) 
crowner:  126  (V.  i.  4) 
cry:  82  (III.  ii.  294) 
cry  .  .  .  question:  53  (II.  ii. 

363) 
cuckold:  113  (IV.  v.  118) 
cue:  61  (II.  ii.  595) 
cuffs:  53  (II.  ii.  381) 
cunning:  57  (II.  ii.  470) 
cunnings:  125  (IV.  vii.  155) 
curb  and  woo:  97   (III.  iv. 

155) 
curiously:  134  (V.  i.  228) 
currents:  67  (III.  i.  87) 
cut-purse:  95  (III.  iv.  99) 

daisy:  116  (IV.  v.  183) 
Damon:  82   (III.  ii.  297) 
Dane,  the:  9  (I.  ii.  44) 
Danskers:  35   (II.  i.  7) 
dear   concernings:   98    (III. 

iv.  191) 
dear  to   fancy:   144    (V.   ii. 

159) 
dearest:  14  (I.  ii.  182) 
debate:  107  (IV.  iv.  26) 
declension:  45   (II.  ii.  149) 
deed:  19  (I.  iii.  27) 
deer   go  weep:   82    (III.   ii. 

287) 
defeat:  62  (II.  ii.  606) 
defeated:  8  (I.  ii.  10) 
defence:  122  (IV.  vii.  97) 
definement:  142  (V.  ii.  118) 
delated:  9  (I.  ii.  38) 
delicate:  144  (V.  ii.  160) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


191 


delver:  127  (V.  i.  15) 
demands:  35  (II.  i.  12) 
denote:  11  (I.  ii.  83) 
deprive  .  .  .  reason:   26    (I. 

iv.  73) 
design'd:  5  (I.  i.  94) 
dexterity:  13  (I.  ii.  157) 
diameter:  101   (IV.  i.  41) 
difference:  94   (III.  iv.  76); 

116   (IV.  v.  182) 
differences:  142  (V.  ii.  113) 
digested:  57  (II.  ii.  469) 
directions:  37  (II.  i.  66) 
disappointed:  30   (I.  v.  77) 
disasters:  6  (I.  i.  118) 
disclos'd:  19  (I.  iii.  40) 
disclose:  70  (III.  i.  175) 
discourse  of  reason:  13    (I. 

ii.  150) 
discovery:  51  (II.  ii.  312) 
disjoint:  9  (I.  ii.  20) 
dismantled:  82  (III.  ii.  298) 
dispatch'd:  30  (I.  v.  75) 
disposition:  14  (I.  ii.  169) 
dispriz'd:  66  (III.  i.  72) 
distempered:     83     (III.     ii. 

317) 
distill'd:  15  (I.  ii.  204) 
distracted:  103  (IV.  iii.  4) 
distracted   globe:   30    (I.   v. 

97) 
divide  inventorially:  142  (V. 

ii.  119) 
divulging:  101  (IV.  i.  22) 
do  .  .  .  grace:  6   (I.  i.  131) 
document:  116  (IV.  v.  177) 
dole:  8  (I.  ii.  13) 
doom:  93  (III.  iv.  50) 
double:  20  (I.  iii.  53) 
doublet:  38  (II.  i.  78) 
doubtful:    34    (I.    v.    175); 

135  (V.  i.  251) 
douts:  126  (IV.  vii.  192) 
down-gyved:  38   (II.  i.  80) 
dozen    or    sixteen   lines:    60 

(II.  ii.  573) 
drab:  62  (II.  ii.  623) 


drabbing:  36  (II.  i.  26) 
dram  of  eale:  24  (I.  iv.  36) 
draw  on  more:  153    (V.  ii. 

406) 
dread  my  lord:  10  (I.  ii.  50) 
dream  of  his  advantage:  9 

(I.  ii.  21) 
drift    of    circumstance:    63 

(III.  i.  1) 
dropping:   8    (I.  ii.   11) 
drossy:  145  (V.  ii.  197) 
ducats:  54  (II.  ii.  391) 
duke's    name:    80    (III.    ii. 

252) 
dull  thy  palm:  20  (I.  iii.  64) 
dumb-show    enters,   the:    76 

(III.  ii.,  S.  d.) 
dupp'd:  111  (IV.  v.  54) 

eager:  23   (I.  iv.  2);  29  (I. 

v.  69) 
ear:  93   (III.  iv.  64) 
ecstasy:  39   (II.  i.  102) 
edge:  64  (III.  i.  26) 
effects:  89  (III.  iii.  54);  96 

(III.  iv.  128) 
eisel:  137  (V.  i.  300) 
election:    73    (III.    ii.    69); 

140  (V.  ii.  65) 
emulate:  4  (I.  i.  83) 
enactures:  79  (III.  ii.  209) 
encompassment :    35    (II.    i. 

10) 
encounter:  46  (II.  ii.  164) 
encumber'd:  34  (I.  v.  174) 
ends:  79  (III.  ii.  225) 
engaged:  89  (III.  iii.  69) 
enginer:  99  (III.  iv.  206) 
enlarg'd:  135  (V.  i.  250) 
enseamed:  95   (III.  iv.  92) 
entreatments:  22  (I.  iii.  122) 
enviously:  109   (IV.  v.  6) 
erring:  7   (I.  i.  154) 
escoted:  53  (II.  ii.  370) 
espials:  64  (III.  i.  32) 
essentially:  98  (III.  iv.  187) 
estate:  134  (V.  i.  245) 


192 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


estimation:  53  (II.  ii.  357) 
eternal  blazon:  28  (I.  v.  21) 
even:   51    (II.  ii.  304);   127 

(V.  i.  32) 
event:  107  (IV.  iv.  41) 
exception:  147  (V.  ii.  245) 
excitements:    108     (IV.    iv. 

58) 
exercise:  65  (III.  i.  45) 
expectancy:  69  (III.  i.  161) 
expostulate:  43  (II.  ii.  86) 
express:  52  (II.  ii.  325) 
express'd   in   fancy:   20    (I. 

iii.  71) 
extent:  54  (II.  ii.  399) 
extravagant:  7  (I.  i.  154) 
eyases:  53  (II.  ii.  363) 


faculty:  51  (II.  ii.  324) 
fair:  101  (IV.  i.  36) 
falls:  121  (IV.  vii.  70) 
false  fire:  82  (III.  ii.  282) 
false  steward:   115    (IV.  v. 

171) 
familiar:  20  (I.  iii.  61) 
famous    ape:    99     (III.    iv. 

194) 
fantasy:  2  (I.  i.  23) 
fardels:  66  (III.  i.  76) 
fashion:  18  (I.  iii.  6) 
fashion  of  himself:  70  (III. 

i.  184) 
fat:  149  (V.  ii.  301) 
fat  weed:  28  (I.  v.  32) 
fatness:  97  (III.  iv.  153) 
favour:    116    (IV.    v.    188); 

133   (V.  i.  215) 
fay:  50  (II.  ii.  276) 
fear:  87  (III.  iii.  8) 
feature:  69  (III.  i.  168) 
fee:  42  (II.  ii.  73) 
fell:  58   (II.  ii.  503) 
fell-incensed:  140  (V.  ii.  61) 
fell  out:  44  (II.  ii.  127) 
fellies:  59   (II.  ii.  525) 
fellowship:  82  (III.  ii.  294) 


fennel:  116  (IV.  v.  179) 
fetch  of  warrant:  36   (II.  i. 

38) 
figure:  43  (II.  ii.  98) 
find:  70  (III.  i.  194) 
fine:   57    (II.   ii.   476);    115 

(IV.  v.  160);  130   (V.  i. 

116) 
fines:  130  (V.  i.  115) 
finger'd:  138  (V.  ii.  15) 
fishmonger:  46   (II.  ii.  174) 
flaw:  134  (V.  i.  240) 
flights:  152  (V.  ii.  374) 
flood:  26  (I.  iv.  69) 
flourish:  54   (II.  ii.  394) 
flourishes:  43  (II.  ii.  91) 
flush:  90  (III.  iii.  81) 
flushing:  13  (I.  ii.  155) 
foil:  147  (V.  ii.  269) 
foil  and  target:  52    (II.  -ii. 

343) 
fond:  30  (I.  v.  99) 
fond  and  winnowed:  145  (V, 

ii.  201) 
for  a  need:  60  (II.  ii.  573) 
for  .  .  .  diet:  5  (I.  i.  99) 
for  .  .  .  joy:    116     (IV.    v. 

186) 
for  the  nonce:  125  (IV.  vii. 

160) 
for    this    many    a    day:    67 

(III.  i.  91) 
forbear:  137  (V.  i.  297) 
forc'd:   11    (I.   ii.   79);    153 

(V.  ii.  397) 
forcing    of    his    disposition: 

64  (III.  i.  12) 
fordoes:  39  (II.  i.  103) 
forest  of  feathers:  82   (III. 

ii.  291) 
forestalled:  89  (III.  iii.  49) 
forgeries:  36  (II.  i.  20) 
forget    myself:    14     (I.    ii. 

161) 
forms:  61    (II.  ii.  591) 
forthwith  dispatch:  87  (III. 

iii.  3) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


193 


fortune's  star:  24  (I.  iv.  32) 
forward:   18    (I.  iii.   8);   63 

(III.  i.  7) 
frame:  9  (I.  ii.  20)  ;  83  (III. 

ii.  326) 
frankly:  64  (III.  i.  34) 
free:    50    (II.    ii.    290);    61 

(II.  ii.  598) 
free  awe:  105  (IV.  iii.  64) 
fret:  85  (III.  ii.  395) 
fretted:  51   (II.  ii.  320) 
friends  .  .  .  Dane:    1    (I.   i. 

15) 
from:  71  (III.  ii.  24) 
front:  93   (III.  iv.  56) 
fruit:  42  (II.  ii.  52) 
fruitful:  11  (I.  ii.  80) 
full  of  bread:  90    (III.  iii. 

80) 
function:  61  (II.  ii.  590) 
fust:  107  (IV.  iv.  39) 

gaged:  5  (I.  i.  91) 
gain-giving:  146  (V.  ii.  227) 
'gainst  that:  7  (I.  i.  158) 
gait:  9  (I.  ii.  31) 
galled:  13  (I.  ii.  155) 
galled  jade:  81  (III.  ii.  256) 
galls:  19  (I.  iii.  39) 
gambol:  97   (III.  iv.  144) 
garb:  54  (II.  ii.  399) 
gates  and  alleys:  29    (I.  v. 

67) 
general    gender:    119     (IV. 

vii.  18) 
gentry:  40  (II.  ii.  22) 
german:  144  (V.  ii.  165) 
gib:  98   (III.  iv.  190) 
gilded  hand:  89  (III.  iii.  58) 
give  benefit:  18  (I.  iii.  2) 
give  o'er:  82  (III.  ii.  284) 
give  them  seals:  86  (III.  ii. 

424) 
give  to  negligence:  114  (IV. 

v.  133) 
give  us   pause:    66    (III.   i. 

68) 


give  you:  1  (I.  i.  16) 
glass":  69  (III.  i.  162) 
glimpses    of   the   moon:    25 

(I.  iv.  53) 
glow:  93  (III.  iv.  48) 
go   hard   but:    99    (III.   iv. 

207) 
goblin:  25  (I.  iv.  40) 
God  'ild:  110  (IV.  v.  42) 
God's   bodikins:   60    (II.   ii. 

561) 
golden  couplets:  137   (V.  i. 

311) 
good  kissing:  47  (II.  ii.  184) 
good  now:  4  (I.  i.  70) 
grace:    97     (III.    iv.    144); 

114   (IV.  v.  131) 
graces:  10  (I.  ii.  63) 
gracious:  7    (I.  i.   164);   65 

(III.  i.  43) 
grained:  94  (III.  iv.  90) 
grating:  63  (III.  i.  3) 
great  amiss:  109  (IV.  v.  18) 
great    article:    142    (V.    ii. 

123) 
green:  22  (I.  iii.  101) 
greenly:  112   (IV.  v.  83) 
grizzled:  17   (I.  ii.  239) 
gross  and  scope:  4  (I.  i.  68) 
groundlings:  71  (III.  ii.  12) 
gules:  57  (II.  ii.  488) 
gulf:  87  (III.  iii.  16) 
gyves:  119   (IV.  vii.  21) 

habit:  96  (III.  iv.  134) 
halt:  52  (II.  ii.  348) 
handsaw:  54  (II.  ii.  407) 
handsome:  57  (II.  ii.  475) 
hangers:  144  (V.  ii.  157) 
happily:  6   (I.  i.  134) 
happiness:  48  (II.  ii.  217) 
haps:  106  (IV.  iii.  71) 
hard:  10   (I.  ii.  60) 
hatchment:  117  (IV.  v.  214) 
hautboys:  76  (III.  ii.,  S.  d.) 
have  an  eye  of  you:  51   (II. 
ii.  308) 


194 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


have  nothing  with:  74   (III. 

ii.  101) 
haviour:  11    (I.  ii.  81) 
head:  5  (Li.  106);  112  (IV. 

v.  101) 
health:  122  (IV.  vii.  81) 
hearsed:  25  (I.  iv.  47) 
heat:  91  (III.  iv.  4) 
heaves:  100  (IV.  i.  1) 
heavy:  100  (IV.  i.  12) 
hebona:  29  (I.  v.  62) 
Hecate:  81  (III.  ii.  273) 
hectic:  106  (IV.  iii.  69) 
Hecuba:  59  (II.  ii.  532) 
hent:  90  (III.  iii.  88) 
Hercules   and   his   load:   54 

(II.  ii.  386) 
hey-day:  94  (III.  iv.  69) 
hey  non  nonny:  115   (IV.  v. 

164) 
hie  et  ubique:  33  (I.  v.  156) 
hide  fox,  and  all  after:  103 

(IV.  ii.  32) 
hies:  7  (Li.  154) 
hillo,  ho,  ho:  31  (I.  v.  115) 
hire  and  salary:  90  (III.  iii. 

79) 
his:  2  (I.  i.  37) 
hoar:  125  (IV.  vii.  168) 
hobby-horse:     76     (III.     ii. 

144) 
hoist:  99  (III.  iv.  207) 
hollow:  79  (III.  ii.  220) 
honest:  67  (III.  i.  103) 
honest  ghost:  32  (I.  v.  138) 
honesty:  47  (II.  ii.  207) 
hoodman-blind :  94   (III.  iv. 

77) 
horrible:  30  (I.  v.  80) 
horrid:  61   (II.  ii.  597) 
hot  and  full:  5  (I.  i.  96) 
house  of  sale:  37  (II.  i.  60) 
humorous   man:    52    (II.   ii. 

344) 
hurling:  32  (I.  v.  133) 
husbandry:  21   (I.  iii.  77) 


Hyperion:  13   (I.  ii.   140) 
Hyrcanian:  57  (II.  ii.  481) 

I  distrust  you:  78   (III.  ii. 

177) 
ill  at:  44  (II.  ii.  119) 
ill-breeding:  109  (IV.  v.  15) 
image:  80   (III.  ii.  251) 
immediate:   12   (I.  ii.  109) 
impart:  12  (I.  ii.  112) 
impartment:  25   (I.  iv.  59) 
impasted:  57  (II.  ii.  490) 
implorators:  23   (I.  iii.  129) 
imponed:  143  (V.  ii.  155) 
important:  95  (III.  iv.  108) 
importing:  9  (I.  ii.  23) 
imports:  77  (III.  ii.  150) 
importunate:  108  (IV.  v.  2) 
imposthume:    107    (IV.    iv. 

27) 
impress:  4  (I.  i.  75) 
impression:  140  (V.  ii.  52) 
imputation:  143  (V.  ii.  149) 
in:  137  (V.  i.  318) 
in  clouds:  112  (IV.  v.  89) 
in  doubt:  109  (IV.  v.  6) 
in  ear  and  ear:  112  (IV.  v. 

94) 
in  .  .  .  extremity:    78    (III. 

ii.  180) 
in  few:  22  (I.  iii.  126) 
in  fine:  42  (II.  ii.  69) 
in  happy  time:   145    (V.  ii. 

214) 
in  his  eye:  106  (IV.  iv.  6) 
in  hugger-mugger:  112  (IV. 

v.  84) 
in  little:  54  (II.  ii.  392) 
in  .  .  .  love:  129   (V.  i.  69) 
in     our     circumstance     and 

course:  90  (III.  iii.  83) 
in  the  full  bent:  41   (II.  ii. 

30) 
in  .  .  .  tricks:  122  (IV.  vii. 

89) 
i'  the  sun:  10  (I.  ii.  67) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


191 


incapable:  125  (IV.  vii.  179) 
inclination    in    yourself:    38 

(II.  i.  71) 
incontinency:  36   (II.  i.  30) 
incorporal:  96  (III.  iv.  117) 
incorps'd  and  demi-natur'd : 

122  (IV.  vii.  87) 
indentures:  130   (V.  i.  119) 
index:  93  (III.  iv.  52) 
indict:  57  (II.  ii.  473) 
indifferent:  48  (II.  ii.  235)  ; 

68   (III.  i.  126) 
indirections:  37   (II.  i.  66) 
indu'd:  126  (IV.  vii.  180) 
inexplicable        dumb-shows : 

71   (III.  ii.  14) 
infants:  19  (I.  iii.  39) 
infusion:  142  (V.  ii.  123) 
ingenious:  136   (V.  i.  272) 
inhibition:  53  (II.  ii.  355) 
innovation:  53    (II.  ii.  356) 
inoculate:  68  (III.  i.  121) 
insinuation:  140   (V.  ii.  59) 
instance:  115  (IV.  v.  161) 
instances:  78  (III.  ii.  194) 
instant:  29  (I.  v.  71) 
instrumental:  10    (I.  ii.  48) 
interpret:  81   (III.  ii.  260) 
intil:  129  (V.  i.  81) 
inurn'd:  25   (I.  iv.  49) 
investments:  22  (I.  iii.  128) 
issue:  27  (I.  iv.  89) 
it  ...  to:  3  (I.  i.  45) 
it  (its):  16  (I.  ii.  216) 

jealousy:  39  (II.  i.  113) 
Jephthah:  55   (II.  ii.  431) 
jig:  59  (II.  ii.  530) 
John-a-dreams:    61     (II.    ii. 

603) 
jointress:  8  (I.  ii.  9) 
journeymen:  72  (III.  ii.  38) 
jowls:  129  (V.  i.  84) 
Julius    Caesar:    75    (III.    ii. 

109) 
jump:  4  (I.  i.  65) 
just:  73  (III.  ii.  59) 


keep:  35  (II.  i.  8) 
keeps  wassail:  23   (I.  iv.  9) 
kettle:  148  (V.  ii.  289) 
kibe:  132   (V.  i.  154) 
kin  .  .  .  kind:  10  (I.  ii.  65) 
landless:  62  (II.  ii.  617) 
knotted:  28  (I.  v.  18) 
know  no  touch:  85   (III.  ii. 

378) 
knowing:  119  (IV.  vii.  3) 

laps'd  in  time  and  passion: 

95  (III.  iv.  107) 
lapwing:  145   (V.  ii.  193) 
larded:  110  (IV.  v.  38) 
large  discourse:  107  (IV.  iv. 

36) 
law  and  heraldry:  4    (I.  i. 

87) 
law  of  writ  and  the  liberty: 

55   (II.  ii.  429) 
lay  home:  91  (III.  iv.  1) 
lazar-like:  29  (I.  v.  72) 
leans  on:  105  (IV.  iii.  60) 
leave:  37  (II.  i.  51) 
leave  and  favour:  10  (I.  ii. 

leave  and  pardon:  10  (I.  ii. 

56) 
lecture:  37  (II.  i.  67) 
lenten:  52  (II.  ii.  337) 
leperous:  29  (I.  v.  64) 
Lethe:  28   (I.  v.  33) 
lets:  26  (I.  iv.  85) 
level:  101   (IV.  i.  42) 
liberal:  125  (IV.  vii.  171) 
liberal   conceit:    144    (V.   ii. 

160) 
lies:  89    (III.  iii.  61) 
life  in  excrements:  96  (III. 

iv.  120) 
life-rendering    pelican:    114 

(IV.  v.  145) 
lightness:  45  (II.  ii.  149) 
likelihood:  134  (V.  i.  231) 
limed:  89   (III.  iii.  68) 
liquid  dew:  19  (I.  iii.  41) 


196 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


list  (noun)  :  5  (I.  i.  98)  ;  112 

(IV.  v.  99) 
list  (vb.):  19   (I.  in.  30) 
livery:  122  (IV.  vii.  79) 
living:  138  (V.  i.  321) 
loggats:  130  (V.  i.  101) 
long  .  .  .  king:  1   (I.  i.  3) 
long  purples:  125   (IV.  vii. 

170) 
lose  your  voice:  9  (I.  ii.  45) 
luxury:  30  (I.  v.  83) 

machine:  44  (II.  ii.  123) 
made  milch:  60  (II.  ii.  548) 
main:  42    (II.   ii.  56);   106 

(IV.  iv.  15) 
make  oppression  bitter:   62 

(II.  ii.  614) 
make  your  wantonness  your 

ignorance:  69  (III.  i.  154) 
mandate:  99   (III.  iv.  204) 
margent:  144  (V.  ii.  162) 
mark:  3   (I.  i.  43) 
market:  107  (IV.  iv.  34) 
marry:  21   (I.  Hi.  90) 
marshal:  99  (III.  iv.  205) 
mart:  4  (I.  i.  74) 
master:  98  (III.  iv.  169) 
masterly   report:    122    (IV. 

vii.  96) 
matin:  30  (I.  v.  89) 
matter:  47   (II.  ii.  197);  58 

(II.  ii.  511) 
mazzard:  130  (V.  i.  97) 
means:  44  (II.  ii.  127);  117 

(IV.  v.  213) 
meed:  143   (V.  ii.  149) 
meet:  34   (I.  v.  171) 
merely:  13    (I.  ii.  137) 
mess:  141  (V.  ii.  90) 
metal:  75  (III.  ii.  117) 
miching   mallecho:   77    (III. 

ii.  148) 
mine  ease:  142  (V.  ii.  110) 
mineral:  101    (IV.  i.  26) 
mining:  97   (III.  iv.  148) 


ministers    of    grace:    25    (I. 

iv.  39) 
mobled:  59   (II.  ii.  533) 
model:  140  (V.  ii.  50) 
modesty:  57  (II.  ii.  470) 
moiety  competent:   5    (I.  i. 

90) 
moist  star:  6  (I.  i.  118) 
mole:  24  (I.  iv.  24) 
moon:  124  (IV.  vii.  145) 
mope:  94  (III.  iv.  81) 
moor:  94   (III.  iv.  67) 
more  above:  44  (II.  ii.  126) 
more  .  .  .  love:    39     (II.    i. 

119) 
more  rawer:  143  (V.  ii.  130) 
mortal  coil:  66  (III.  i.  67) 
mote:  5  (I.  i.  112) 
motion:    94     (III.    iv.    72); 

125   (IV.  vii.  157) 
mould:  69  (III.  i.  162) 
mountebank:    124    (IV.   vii. 

141) 
mouth:  71   (III.  ii.  3) 
mouths:  108  (IV.  iv.  50) 
move:  78  (III.  ii.  194) 
mows:  54  (II.  ii.  390) 
much:  109  (IV.  v.  13) 
muddied:  111  (IV.  v.  81) 
muddy-mettled:    61    (II.   ii. 

602) 
murdering-piece :    112    (IV. 

v.95) 
mutes:  76  (III.  ii.,  S.  d.) 
mutine:  94  (III.  iv.  83) 
mutines:  138   (V.  ii.  6) 
my  will:  114  (IV.  v.  136) 

naked:  120  (IV.  vii.  44) 
napkin:  149  (V.  ii.  302) 
native:  10  (I.  ii.  47) 
native  hue:  67  (III.  i.  84) 
nature's  livery:  24  (I.  iv.  32) 
naught:  77  (III.  ii.  158) 
nave:  59   (II.  ii.  526) 
neighbour'd    .    .    .    humour: 
40  (II.  ii.  12) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


197 


neither:  142  (V.  ii.  121) 
Nemean  lion's:  26  (I.  iv.  83) 
Nero:  86  (III.  ii.  419) 
nerve:  26  (I.  iv.  83) 
neutral,  a:  58  (II.  ii.  511) 
nickname:  69  (III.  i.  153) 
niggard  of  question:  64  (III. 

i.  13) 
Niobe:  13  (I.  ii.  149) 
no  addition:  106  (IV.  iv.  17) 
nomination:  143  (V.  ii.  134) 
note:  34  (I.  v.  178) 
nothing:    109    (IV.    v.    13); 

112   (IV.  v.  93) 
noyance:  87  (III.  iii.  13) 
numbers:  44  (II.  ii.  119) 

obscure:  117  (IV.  v.  213) 
obsequious:  11  (I.  ii.  92) 
occasion:  20  (I.  iii.  54) 
occulted:  74  (III.  ii.  85) 
occurrents:  152  (V.  ii.  371) 
o'er-crows:  152   (V.  ii.  367) 
o'er-leavens :  24  (I.  iv.  29) 
o'ermaster  't:  32  (I.  v.  140) 
o'er-offices:  129  (V.  i.  87) 
o'er-raught:  64  (III.  i.  17) 
o'er-sized:  58  (II.  ii.  493) 
o'er-teemed:  59  (II.  ii.  539) 
o'ertook  in  's  rouse:  37  (II. 

i.  58) 
of  general  assault:  36  (II.  i. 

35) 
of  so  young  days:  40  (II.  ii. 

11) 
of  vantage:  88  (III.  iii.  33) 
office:  66  (III.  i.  73) 
ominous   horse:    57    (II.    ii. 

485) 
on  .  .  .  button:    49    (II.    ii. 

237) 
on  't:  69  (III.  i.  155) 
open'd:  40  (II.  ii.  18) 
operant:  78  (III.  ii.  186) 
opposite:  80  (III.  ii.  232) 
opposites:  140  (V.  ii.  62) 
orchard:  28   (I.  v.  35) 


ordinant:  140  (V.  ii.  48) 
organ:  85  (III.  ii.  392);  121 

(IV.  vii.  70) 
orisons:  67  (III.  i.  89) 
ostentation:  117  (IV.  v.  215) 
our  shape:  124  (IV.  vii.  150) 
out  of  haunt:  100  (IV.  i.  18) 
out  of  thy  star:  45   (II.  ii. 

141) 
out-herods  Herod:  71   (III. 

ii.  16) 
outstretched:  50  (II.  ii.  275) 
overlooked:  118  (IV.  vi.  13) 
overpeering:  112  (IV.  v.  99) 
owl  was  a  baker's  daughter: 

110  (IV.  v.  42) 

paddling:  98  (III.  iv.  185) 
paddock:  98  (III.  iv.  190) 
painted   tyrant:   58    (II.   ii. 

510) 
pajock:  82  (III.  ii.  300) 
pales:  24  (I.  iv.  28) 
pall:  138  (V.  ii.  9) 
palmy  state:  5  (I.  i.  113) 
panders:  94  (III.  iv.  88) 
pansies:  115   (IV.  v.  176) 
parle:  3  (I.  i.  62) 
part:  75   (III.  ii.  Ill);  122 

(IV.  vii.  76) 
particular:  11   (I.  ii.  75) 
partisan:  6  (I.  i.  140) 
pass  of  practice:  124   (IV. 

vii.  138) 
passage:  90  (III.  iii.  86) 
passages  of  proof:  123  (IV. 

vii.  112) 
passing:  55  (II.  ii.  436) 
passion:  116  (IV.  v.  187) 
patience:  75  (III.  ii.  114) 
peace-parted:     135     (V.     i. 

262) 
peak:  61  (II.  ii.  602) 
peasant:  61  (II.  ii.  584) 
Pelion:  136  (V.  i.  277) 
perdition:  142  (V.  ii.  118) 
perdy:  83  (III.  ii.  310) 


198 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


periwig-pated :    71    (III.    ii. 

10) 
perpend:  44  (II.  ii.  105) 
perusal:  38  (II.  i.  90) 
peruse:  124  (IV.  vii.  136) 
petar:  99  (III.  iv.  207) 
physic:  90   (III.  iii.  96) 
picked:  131  (V.  i.  152) 
pickers     and     stealers:     84 

(III.  ii.  355) 
piece:  2  (I.  i.  19) 
pigeon-liver'd:     62     (II.     ii. 

613) 
pioner:  33  (I.  v.  163) 
pious  action:  65  (III.  i.  48) 
pith  and  moment:  67    (III. 

i.  86) 
place:  19  (I.  iii.  26) 
planets  strike:  7  (I.  i.  162) 
platform:  1  (I.  i.,  S.  d.) 
plausive:  24   (I.  iv.  30) 
Plautus:  55  (II.  ii.  429) 
play:  123  (IV.  vii.  105) 
pledge:  23  (I.  iv.  12) 
plurisy:  123  (IV.  vii.  117) 
ply  his  music:  38  (II.  i.  73) 
pocky:  132  (V.  i.  182) 
poem  unlimited:  55   (II.  ii. 

428) 
policy:  41  (II.  ii.  47) 
politic:  104  (IV.  iii.  21) 
poll:  116  (IV.  v.  195) 
porpentine:  28  (I.  v.  20) 
posset:  29  (I.  v.  68) 
post:  13  (I.  ii.  156) 
posy:  77   (III.  ii.  163) 
powers:  106  (IV.  iv.  9) 
pox:  81   (III.  ii.  267) 
practice:  121   (IV.  vii.  67) 
praises  .  .  .  again:  120  (IV. 

vii.  27) 
precedent:  95   (III.  iv.  98) 
precepts:  20  (I.  iii.  58) 
precurse:  6  (I.  i.  121) 
pregnant:  48  (II.  ii.  216) 
pregnant  hinges:  73  (III.  ii. 

66) 


prenominate:  37   (II.  i.  43) 
presence:  147  (V.  ii.  242) 
present    push:    138     (V.    i. 

319) 
presently:  46  (II.  ii.  170) 
pressure:  72  (III.  ii.  28) 
pressures:  31  (I.  v.  100) 
prevent:  51  (II.  ii.  312) 
prick'd  on:  4  (I.  i.  83) 
primal:  88  (III.  iii.  37) 
primrose  path:  20  (I.  iii.  50) 
primy:  18  (I.  iii.  7) 
private  time:  21   (I.  iii.  92) 
probation:  7  (I.  i.  156) 
process:   28    (I.   v.   37);   88 

(III.  iii.  29) ;  105  (IV.  iii. 

66) 
progress:  104  (IV.  iii.  34) 
prologue:  6  (I.  i.  123) 
prologue  .  .  .  play:  139  (V. 

ii.  30) 
pronounce:  83   (III.  ii.  328) 
pronounc'd:  59   (II.  ii.  542) 
proof  and  bulwark:  92  (III. 

iv.  38) 
proof  eterne:  58  (II.  ii.  520) 
property:    39    (II.    i.    103); 

62  (II.  ii.  605) 
property    of    easiness:    129 

(V.  i.  75) 
proportions:  9  (I.  ii.  32) 
prosperously:  48  (II.  ii.  218) 
protest:  80  (III.  ii.  242) 
providence:  100  (IV.  i.  17) 
Provincial  roses:  82  (III.  ii. 

293) 
puff'd:  20  (I.  iii.  49) 
purgation:  83   (III.  ii.  323) 
purging:  47   (II.  ii.  203) 
pursu'd:   119   (IV.  vii.  5) 
pursy:  97   (III.  iv.  153) 
put  on:  21    (I.   iii.   94);  35 

(II.  i.  19);  124   (IV.  vii. 

131) 

quaintly:  36  (II.  i.  31) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


199 


quality:  50  (II.  ii.  272)  ;  53 

(II.  ii.  371) 
quantity:  78  (III.  ii.  179) 
quantity  of  choice:  94  (III. 

iv.  75) 
quarry:  152  (V.  ii.  378) 
quest:  127   (V.  i.  24) 
questionable:  25   (I.  iv.  43)' 
quiddities:  130  (V.  i.  107) 
quietus:  66  (III.  i.  75) 
quillets:  130  (V.  i.  108) 
quintessence:  52  (II.  ii.  328) 
quit:  148  (V.  ii.  283) 
quoted:  39  (II.  i.  112) 

rack:  58  (II.  ii.  514) 
range:  87    (III.  iii.  2) 
rank:  36  (II.  i.  20) 
ranker:  107  (IV.  iv.  22) 
razed:  82  (III.  ii.  293) 
reach:  37  (II.  i.  64) 
reaches:  25  (I.  iv.  56) 
reason:  50  (II.  ii.  277) 
reckon:  44   (II.  ii.  120) 
reckoning:  30  (I.  v.  78) 
recks:  20  (I.  iii.  51) 
recognizances:    130     (V.    i. 

113) 
recorders:  83  (III.  ii.  308) 
recover     the    wind     of:     85 

(III.  ii.  368) 
recoveries:  130  (V.  i.  116) 
rede:  20  (I.  iii.  51) 
reechy:  98  (III.  iv.  184) 
regard:  67  (III.  i.  87) 
regards  .  .  .  allowance:     43 

(II.  ii.  79) 
region:  58  (II.  ii.  517) 
region  kites:  62  (II.  ii.  615) 
relative:  63  (II.  ii.  641) 
relish    (noun):  90   (III.  iii. 

92) 
relish  (vb.):  68  (III.  i.  122) 
remember:  142  (V.  ii.  109) 
remove:  111  (IV.  v.  81) 
repair:  118  (IV.  vi.  24) 
repast:  114  (IV.  v.  146) 


replication:  102  (IV.  ii.  13) 
repugnant  to:  58  (II.  ii.  501) 
residence:  52  (II.  ii.  353) 
resolutes:  5  (I.  i.  98) 
resolve:  13  (I.  ii.  130) 
respect:  66  (III.  i.  68) 
responsive:  144  (V.  ii.  159) 
rests:  89  (III.  iii.  64) 
retrograde:  12  (I.  ii.  114) 
reverted:  120  (IV.  vii.  23) 
re-word:  97  (III.  iv.  143) 
rhapsody  of  words:  93  (III. 

iv.  48) 
Rhenish:  23  (I.  iv.  10) 
riband:  122  (IV.  vii.  77) 
right:  116   (IV.  v.  203) 
rights  of  memory:  153   (V. 

ii.  403) 
rivals:  1  (I.  i.  13) 
robustious:  71   (III.  ii.  10) 
romage:  5  (I.  i.  107) 
Roman:  151   (V.  ii.  355) 
rood:  91  (III.  iv.  14) 
Roscius:  55  (II.  ii.  419) 
rosemary:  115   (IV.  v.  174) 
round:  45   (II.  ii.  139) 
rouse:  12  (I.  ii.  127) 
row:  56  (II.  ii.  447) 
rub:  66  (III.  i.  65) 
rue:  116  (IV.  v.  180) 

sable:  17  (I.  ii.  241) 

Saint  Patrick:  32  (I.  v.  136) 

sallets  .  .  .  savoury:  57  (II. 

ii.  471) 
sans:  94  (III.  iv.  79) 
satisfied  in  nature:  147  (V. 

ii.  258) 
sat  on:  126  (V.  i.  4) 
saws:  31   (I.  v.  100) 
'Sblood:  54  (II.  ii.  392) 
scann'd:  90  (III.  iii.  75) 
scene  individable:  55  (II.  ii. 

427) 
scholar:  3   (I.  i.  42) 
sconce:  130  (V.  i.  110) 


200 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


scourge:  103  (IV.  ill.  6) 
scrimers:  123  (IV.  vii.  100) 
scullion:  62  (II.  ii.  624) 
sea-gown:  138  (V.  ii.  13) 
season:  15  (I.  ii.  192) 
seeming:  74  (III.  ii.  92) 
seiz'd  of :  4  (I.  i.  89) 
semblable:  142  (V.  ii.  125) 
Seneca:  55  (II.  ii.  428) 
sense:  92    (III.  iv.  38);   94 

(III.  iv.  71) 
senseless:  58  (II.  ii.  504) 
sensible:  3  (I.  i.  57) 
sensibly:  115  (IV.  v.  149) 
se  offendendo:  127  (V.  i.  9) 
sergeant:  151  (V.  ii.  350) 
set:  105  (IV.  iii.  65) 
set  me  packing:  99  (III.  iv. 

211) 
shards:  135  (V.  i.  255) 
share:  82  (III.  ii.  295) 
shark'd  up:  5  (I.  i.  98) 
shent:  86  (III.  ii.  423) 
shoon:  110  (IV.  v.  26) 
short:  100  (IV.  i.  18) 
shreds  and  patches:  95  (III. 

iv.  102) 
shriving-time:    139     (V.    ii. 

47) 
shuffled  off:  66  (III.  i.  67) 
shuffling:  89  (III.  iii.  61) 
sick  .  .  .  doomsday:  6  (I.  i. 

120) 
sicklied  o'er:  67  (III.  i.  85) 
siege:  122   (IV.  vii.  76) 
simples:  124  (IV.  vii.  144) 
single  and  peculiar:  87  (III. 

iii.  11) 
sith:  108  (IV.  iv.  45) 
skirts:  5   (I.  i.  97) 
slander:  23   (I.  iii.  133) 
sledded  Polacks:  3  (I.  i.  63) 
slightly  timber'd:  119    (IV. 

vii.  22) 
smooth  and  even:  103   (IV. 

iii.  7) 


so,  haply,  slander:  101  (IV. 

i.  40) 
soft:  142  (V.  ii.  113) 
softly:  106  (IV.  iv.  8) 
soil:  18  (I.  iii.  15) 
soil  our  addition:  24  (I.  iv. 

20) 
sold  in  fee:  107  (IV.  iv.  22) 
solicited:  152  (V.  ii.  372) 
solidity  and  compound  mass: 

93  (III.  iv.  49) 
something-settled:    70    (III. 

i.  182) 
sometimes:  3  (I.  i.  49) 
sore:  133  (V.  i.  189) 
sort:  5   (I.  i.  109);  50   (II. 

ii.  279) 
sovereign:  69  (III.  i.  166) 
spheres:  27  (I.  v.  17) 
spendthrift   sigh:   123    (IV. 

vii.  122) 
spills:  109  (IV.  v.  20) 
spirit  of  health:  25    (I.  iv. 

40) 
spirits:  63  (II.  ii.  639) 
spite:  34  (I.  v.  188) 
splenetive:  136  (V.  i.  285) 
sport:  80  (III.  ii.  229) 
spring:  119  (IV.  vii.  20) 
springes:  22  (I.  iii.  115) 
spurns    (noun):   66    (III.  i. 

73) 
spurns    (vb.):    109    (IV.   v. 

6) 
stage:  153  (V.  ii.  392) 
stand  .  .  .  upon:  140  (V.  ii. 

63) 
station:  93  (III.  iv.  58) 
statists:  139  (V.  ii.  33) 
statutes:  130  (V.  i.  113) 
stay  upon:  75  (III.  ii.  113) 
sterling:  22  (I.  iii.  107) 
stick  ...  off:    148     (V.    ii. 

271) 
still:  6  (I.  i.  122) 
stithy:  74  (III.  ii.  89) 
stomach:  5  (I.  i.  100) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


201 


stooping:  77  (III.  ii.  161) 
stop:  73  (III.  ii.  76) 
stoup:  128  (V.  i.  68) 
straight:  56  (II.  ii.  460) 
straw:  107   (IV.  iv.  26) 
strewments:  135  (V.  i.  257) 
strumpet:  49  (II.  ii.  244) 
stuck:  125  (IV.  vii.  161) 
stuff:  52  (II.  ii.  332) 
subject:  4  (I.  i.  72) 
subscrib'd:  140  (V.  ii.  52) 
succession:  53  (II.  ii.  376) 
suit  of  sables:   76    (III.   ii. 

139) 
suiting:  61   (II.  ii.  590) 
suffer   not   thinking  on:   76 

(III.  ii.  143) 
sullies:  36  (II.  i.  39) 
supervise:  139  (V.  ii.  23) 
suppliance:  18  (I.  iii.  9) 
supply  and  profit:  40  (II.  ii. 

24) 
swaddling-clouts:  55   (II.  ii. 

411) 
sweep  my  way:  99  (III.  iv. 

204) 
swinish:  24  (I.  iv.  19) 
Switzers:  112  (IV.  v.  97) 
swoopstake:     114     (IV.     v. 

141) 
sword:  33  (I.  v.  154) 
'Swounds:  62  (II.  ii.  612) 
s wounds:  150  (V.  ii.  322) 
synod:  59  (II.  ii.  524) 

table:  30  (I.  v.  98) 

taints  of  liberty:  36   (II.  i. 

32) 
take:  35  (II.  i.  13) 
take  .  .  .  troubles:  66    (III. 

i.  59) 
takes:  7  (I.  i.  163) 
tarre:  53  (II.  ii.  379) 
tax  .  .  .  home:  88    (III.  iii. 

29) 
teeth  and  forehead:  89  (III. 

iii.  63) 


tell:  17   (I.  ii.  237) 
Tellus:  77  (III.  ii.  168) 
temperance:  71  (III.  ii.  8) 
temper'd:  151  (V.  ii.  342) 
temple:  18  (I.  iii.  12) 
tenable:  17  (I.  ii.  247) 
tend:  21  (I.  iii.  83) 
tender  (vb.) :  22  (I.  iii.  107) 
tenders    (noun):  21    (I.  iii. 

99) 
tent:  63  (II.  ii.  634) 
tenures:  130  (V.  i.  108) 
Termagant:  71   (III.  ii.  16) 
terms:  87  (III.  iii.  5) 
tetter:  29  (I.  v.  71) 
the  .  .  .  body:  103    (IV.  ii. 

29) 
the     croaking  .  .  .  revenge: 

81   (III.  ii.  268) 
there  be  of  them:  72   (III. 

ii.  45) 
these:  44  (II.  ii.  112) 
thews:  18  (I.  iii.  12) 
thicker  than  itself:  88  (III. 

iii.  44) 
this  .  .  .  drooping:  137   (V. 

i.  308) 
thought:  4  (I.  i.  67) 
thrall'd:  94  (III.  iv.  74) 
thrift:  73  (III.  ii.  67) 
tickle  o'  the  sere:  52  (II.  ii. 

346) 
time:  68  (III.  i.  116) 
tinct:  94  (III.  iv.  91) 
tithe:  95  (III.  iv.  97) 
to:  65  (III.  i.  52) 
toil  (noun) :  85  (III.  ii.  369) 
toils  (vb.) :  4  (I.  i.  72) 
too    dear    a    halfpenny:    50 

(II.  ii.  288) 
too  much  prov'd:  65  (III.  i. 

47) 
topp'd:  122  (IV.  vii.  88) 
touch'd:  117  (IV.  v.  207) 
toward:  4  (I.  i.  77) 
toy  in  blood:  18  (I.  iii.  6) 


202 


The  Tragedy  of  Hamlet, 


toys  of  desperation:  26   (I. 

iv.  75) 
trace;  142  (V.  ii.  126) 
traduc'd   and   tax'd:  24    (I. 

iv.  18) 
trick:  108  (IV.  iv.  61);  126 

(IV.  vii.  188) 
trick'd:  57  (II.  ii.  488) 
tricks:  109  (IV.  v.  5) 
trippingly:  71   (III.  ii.  2) 
tristful:  93  (III.  iv.  50) 
trophy:  117  (IV.  v.  214) 
tropically:  80  "(III.  ii.  250) 
true-penny:  33  (I.  v.  150) 
truncheon:  15  (I.  ii.  204) 
tune:  145  (V.  ii.  198) 
turn  Turk:  82  (III.  ii.  292) 
turned  .  .  .  colour:    60    (II. 

ii.  550) 
twelve  for  nine:  144  (V.  ii. 

174) 
tyrannically:  53  (II.  ii.  364) 

umbrage:  142  (V.  ii.  126) 
unanePd:  30  (I.  v.  77) 
unbated:  124  (IV.  vii.  138) 
unbrac'd:  38  (II.  i.  78) 
uncharge:  121   (IV.  vii.  67) 
unction:  97  (III.  iv.  145) 
uncurrent:  56   (II.  ii.  456) 
undergo:  24  (I.  iv.  34) 
uneffectual:  30  (I.  v.  90) 
unfellowed:  143  (V.  ii.  150) 
unfledg'd:  20  (I.  iii.  65) 
ungor'd:  147  (V.  ii.  264) 
ungracious:  19  (I.  iii.  47) 
unhousel'd:  30  (I.  v.  77) 
unimproved:  5  (I.  i.  96) 
union:  148  (V.  ii.  286) 
unkennel:  74  (III.  ii.  86) 
unmaster'd:  19  (I.  iii.  32) 
unnatural:  28  (I.  v.  25) 
unpregnant    of:    61    (II.   ii. 

603) 
unprevailing:  12  (I.  ii.  107) 
unproportion'd :    20    (I.    iii. 

60) 


unreclaimed:  36  (II.  i.  34) 
unshaped:  109   (IV.  v.  8) 
unsifted:  22  (I.  iii.  102) 
unsinew'd:  110  (IV.  vii.  10) 
unvalu'd:  18  (I.  iii.  19) 
unwrung:  81  (III.  ii.  257) 
unyoke:  128  (V.  i.  59) 
uphoarded:  6  (I.  i.  136) 
up-spring:  23   (I.  iv.  9) 
use:  97  (III.  iv.  163) 
uses:  13  (I.  ii.  134) 

vailed:  10  (I.  ii.  70) 
valanced:  56  (II.  ii.  451) 
validity:  79  (III.  ii.  201) 
variable:  70  (III.  i.  181) 
variable    service:    104    (IV. 

iii.  25) 
vast:  15  (I.  ii.  198) 
ventages:  85  (III.  ii.  380) 
very  comment:   74    (III.  ii. 

84) 
vice:  95  (III.  iv.  98) 
videlicet:  37  (II.  i.  61) 
violet:  18  (I.  iii.  7) 
violets:  116  (IV.  v.  183) 
virtue  of  his  will:  18  (I.  iii. 

16) 
voice:  84  (III.  ii.  363)  ;  147 

(V.  ii.  263) 
voice   and   yielding:    19    (I. 

iii.  23) 
vouchers:  130  (V.  i.  114) 
vouchsafe  your  rest:  40  (II. 

ii.  13) 
Vulcan:  74  (III.  ii.  89) 
vulgar  thing:  11  (I.  ii.  99) 

wait  upon:  50  (II.  ii.  278) 
wake:  23   (I.  iv.  8) 
wandering  stars:  136   (V.  i. 

280) 
want  true  colour:  96    (III. 

iv.  129) 
wanton  (adj.):  36  (II.  i.  22) 
wanton  (adv.):  98   (III.  iv. 

183) 


Prince  of  Denmark 


203 


wanton  (noun) :  149   (V.  ii. 

313) 
warrantise:  135   (V.  i.  251) 
wash:  77  (III.  ii.  168) 
watch:  45  (II.  ii.  148) 
water-fly:  141  (V.  ii.  84) 
way:  118  (IV.  vi.  34) 
weak  supposal:  8  (I.  ii.  18) 
weal:  87  (III.  iii.  14) 
weeds:  122  (IV.  vii.  80) 
weedy:  125  (IV.  vii.  175) 
weigh'd:  103   (IV.  iii.  6) 
wharf:  28   (I.  v.  33) 
wheaten  garland:  139  (V.  ii. 

41) 
wheel:  115  (IV.  v.  171) 
wherein:  112  (IV.  v.  92) 
which  one:  72  (III.  ii.  31) 
'while  .  .  .  grows':  84    (III. 

ii.  365) 
wholesome:  83  (III.  ii.  334) 
whoreson:  133  (V.  i.  190) 
wicked   prize:    89    (III.    iii. 

59) 
wildness:  65  (III.  i.  40) 
wind  ...  of:  20  (I.  iii.  56) 
windlasses:  37  (II.  i.  65) 
windy  suspiration:  11  (I.  ii. 

79) 


winking:  45  (II.  ii.  137) 
wit:  43   (II.  ii.  90) 
witching:  86  (III.  ii.  413) 
withal:  18  (I.  iii.  14) 
withdraw  with:  85   (III.  ii. 

367) 
withers:  81  (III.  ii.  256) 
without  more  circumstance: 

32  (I.  v.  127) 
Wittenberg:  12  (I.  ii.  113) 
woman:  126   (IV.  vii.  190) 
wonder:  112  (IV.  v.  89) 
woodcocks:  22  (I.  iii.  115) 
woo't:  137   (V.  i.  299) 
word:  31   (I.  v.  110) 
would:  90  (III.  iii.  75) 
woundless:  101    (IV.  i.  44) 
wrack:  39  (II.  i.  113) 

Yaughan:  128  (V.  i.  68) 
yaw:  142  (V.  ii.  121) 
yeoman's  service:  139  (V.  ii. 

36) 
yesty:  145  (V.  ii.  199) 
yield  them:  109  (IV.  v.  11) 
your:  34  (I.  v.  167) 
your   paintings:   69    (III.  i. 

150) 


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